Tyron Smith

Tyron Jerrar Smith (born December 12, 1990) is an American former professional football player who played offensive tackle in the National Football League for 14 seasons, from 2011 to 2024. He played college football for the USC Trojans where he won the Morris Trophy, recognizing the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast, in 2010. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Smith was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team. He also played for the New York Jets.

Early life

Smith attended Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, California, where he played on the offensive and defensive line. He earned All-American honors by ''Parade'', SuperPrep, PrepStar, Scout.com, and EA Sports, while also receiving numerous other All-Region honors. As a junior in 2006, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team, All-CIF Central Division first team, and Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Riverside County second team. Smith played in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Also a standout in track & field at Rancho Verde, Smith notched top-throws of 14.23 meters (46 feet, 7 inches) in the shot put and 46.62 meters (152 feet, 10 inches) in the discus.

Considered a five-star recruit and described as "an amazing right tackle prospect" by Rivals.com, Smith was ranked as the No. 6 offensive tackle prospect. Scout.com, who also viewed Smith as a five-star recruit, listed him as the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the nation.

College career

Smith played three seasons with the USC Trojans from 2008 to 2010. As a freshman, he was the backup left offensive tackle. He appeared in 10 games. As a sophomore, he started the first twelve games at right offensive tackle. He earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention and CollegeFootballNews.com Sophomore All-American honorable mention for the 2009 season. As a junior, he appeared in twelve games.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Smith was considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2011 NFL draft.

Dallas Cowboys

2011 season

Selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the ninth overall pick, he was the first offensive lineman drafted in the first round by the Cowboys since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989, and the highest in franchise history since John Niland went fifth overall in 1966. He signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract.

Entering the league as a 20-year-old rookie, Smith was named a starter at right tackle from the first day of Organized Team Activities, with Doug Free taking over the left tackle spot. His role became even more important after the Cowboys released veteran offensive linemen Marc Colombo, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, and Montrae Holland during the preseason. Smith started every game and earned praise for his play, prompting the media to speculate on a possible move to left tackle in the next season. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

2012 season

Starting the 2012 season, Smith switched to starting left tackle, switching sides on the offensive line with Free. On September 12, Smith was fined $15,000 for a touchdown-saving horse-collar tackle he made during the season opener against the New York Giants. He started 15 games for the Cowboys in the 2012 season.

2013 season

In his third year with the Cowboys, Smith committed just one holding penalty and allowed only one sack in his 16 starts. He was named to the 2014 Pro Bowl on Team Rice. He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.

2014 season

Smith signed an eight-year, $109 million contract extension with the Cowboys in July, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league at the time. He was widely considered one of the top three offensive tackles in the league, and for his play against the Seattle Seahawks, he became the first offensive lineman in 10 years to be named Offensive Player of the Week. He started all 16 games for the NFL's second ranked rushing offense, while helping DeMarco Murray become the league's rushing leader. He was ranked 36th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015. Smith was named as a Pro Bowler and first team All-Pro.

2015 season

Smith started all 16 games, helped clear the way for the NFL's fourth leading rusher ( Darren McFadden) and earned his third Pro Bowl selection. He was ranked 42nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016 season

Forced to play through nagging injuries throughout the season, Smith helped lead the Cowboys to a 13–3 record, and aided rookie Ezekiel Elliott in becoming the league's leading rusher. Smith was named the first team left tackle for the 2016 All-Pro Team, the second time he carried this honor in his career. He was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro, both honors being shared with fellow Cowboy offensive linemen Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. He was ranked 18th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the highest ranked offensive lineman.

2017 season

Smith was named to his fifth straight Pro Bowl alongside guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick for the second straight year. Smith's 2017 season was marred by multiple injuries, which included to his knee, back, groin, and hip. He started and played in 13 games. He was placed on injured reserve on December 29, meaning that he would not play in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was ranked 39th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

2018 season

Smith started 13 games at left tackle, missing three with injury, on his way to his sixth straight Pro Bowl. He was ranked 52nd by active NFL players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

2019 season

Smith started 13 games at left tackle in 2019. He earned a seventh straight Pro Bowl selection since 2013. He was ranked #78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

2020 season

In 2020, Smith had been bothered by a neck issue spanning within the past years. On October 9, Smith announced that he would forgo the rest of the 2020 season after choosing to have surgery on his neck. He was subsequently placed on the injured reserve.

2021 season

Smith suffered multiple ankle injuries that lingered throughout the season. Smith missed Weeks 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16 due to the injuries. He started in 11 regular season games and the Cowboys' Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the 2021 season. He was ranked 92nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

2022 season

Smith suffered a torn hamstring in practice during training camp. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022. He was activated on December 17, and moved to right tackle with the emergence of Tyler Smith. He made his season debut in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started in four regular season games and the Cowboys' two playoff games in the 2022 season.

2023 season

Smith appeared in and started 13 games for the Cowboys in the 2023 season.

New York Jets

On March 18, 2024, Smith signed with the New York Jets on a one-year deal worth up to $20 million. He started in the first ten games of the 2024 season. Smith suffered a neck injury which put him on injured reserve, and caused him to miss the remainder of the regular season.

Retirement

On April 15, 2025, Smith signed a one-day contract to retire as a Cowboy after 14 NFL seasons.

Regular season statistics

References

External links

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USC Trojans bioNew York Jets bio

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Tyron
1990 births
Living people
Players of American football from Moreno Valley, California
American football offensive tackles
USC Trojans football players
Dallas Cowboys players
New York Jets players
Unconferenced Pro Bowl players
National Conference Pro Bowl players