Alphonso Smith
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Career Summary
Alphonso Smith was a Wake Forest cornerback drafted by Denver in 2009.
The Pahokee, Florida native became one of the ACC's most productive defensive backs.
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Early Life
Smith is from Pahokee, Florida.
Wake Forest listed Pahokee as his hometown.
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High School
Smith attended Pahokee High School in Florida.
He led Pahokee to the Class 2B state championship and earned first-team all-state honors as a senior cornerback.
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College Career
Smith set the ACC career record with 21 interceptions at Wake Forest.
He added 189 tackles, nine sacks, 61 pass breakups and five blocked punts in 51 games.
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Path to the NFL
Denver selected Smith in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
The Broncos chose the Wake Forest cornerback 37th overall.
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NFL Career
Smith played four NFL seasons with Denver and Detroit.
He appeared in 15 games as a Denver rookie, then played three seasons with the Lions.
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Career Accomplishments
Smith was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and a 2008 Bronko Nagurski Award finalist.
His seven interceptions as a senior tied for the national lead, following a school-record eight in 2007.
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Playing Style
Smith paired ball-hawking coverage with special-teams value.
His interception production, pass-breakup totals and five career blocked punts reflected his impact in coverage and on special teams.
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Legacy
Smith entered the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
His ACC interception record of 21 still stands, and he ranks second in school history with 61 career passes defended.
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22427, 00-0027013, 1985-10-20, Alphonso Smith, Alphonso, Smith
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