Smith named Playboy All-American

(UA) Tuscaloosa — Alabama junior offensive tackle Andre Smith was honored over the weekend in Phoenix as a member of the 52nd Annual Playboy Preseason All-America Football Team. Smith is the first Crimson Tide player to be recognized as part of the prestigious group since Roman Harper in 2005.

“I was honored to be selected as a Preseason Playboy All-American,” said Smith. “I got a chance to meet some guys I haven’t seen since I was being recruited and also get to know some of the other players from around the country like Sen’Derrick Marks, Taylor Mays, Knowshon Moreno, James Davis, Michael Crabtree, Kenny McKinley, Tyson Jackson and my roommate Michael Oher. It was a really good group of guys. The highlight was the sports contest on Friday night where we competed in several different events like basketball, ping pong, long drive, home run derby, putt-putt and throwing a fastball. Overall, it was a great weekend and I appreciate Gil Brandt and Gary and Nancy Cole for putting it all together.”

Smith joined the other members of the team in Arizona on Friday, May 9th and took part in an eventful weekend which included an all-around sports competition Friday evening, the team photo shoot on Saturday afternoon and an awards dinner Saturday night. The feature will be included in the September issue of Playboy, which goes on sale in mid-August.

The Birmingham native has started all 26 games for Alabama at left tackle over the last two seasons. Smith was a first team All-SEC selection last year and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the most outstanding lineman in the conference as voted on by league coaches. He was named to the 2008 Outland Trophy Watch List along with teammate Antoine Caldwell in April.

—from UA