Tyron Smith

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.

Tyron Jerrar Smith (born December 12, 1990) is an American football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

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.

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.

He played college football at USC where he won the Morris Trophy, recognizing the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast, in 2010.

Smith was selected by the Cowboys with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.