Tyron Smith

Tyron Jerrar Smith Bio

Tyron Jerrar Smith is an American former professional football player who spent 14 seasons as an offensive tackle in the National Football League. Born on December 12, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, Smith became one of the most dominant left tackles of his generation. He played college football for the University of Southern California Trojans before the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith earned eight Pro Bowl selections and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team during his distinguished career. He finished his career with the New York Jets in 2024 before retiring as a Cowboy in April 2025.

Early Life and Background

Smith attended Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, California, where he excelled on both the offensive and defensive lines. He earned All-American honors from Parade, SuperPrep, PrepStar, Scout.com, and EA Sports during his high school career. As a junior in 2006, he earned Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team honors and was named to the All-CIF Central Division first team. Smith also competed in track and field at Rancho Verde, recording top throws of 46 feet, 7 inches in the shot put and 152 feet, 10 inches in the discus. He played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2008, showcasing his talent against the nation’s top high school players.

Path to American Football

Considered a five-star recruit coming out of high school, Smith was ranked as the No. 6 offensive tackle prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the nation by Scout.com. He accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Southern California Trojans from 2008 to 2010. As a freshman, he served as the backup left offensive tackle and appeared in 10 games. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore, opening the first twelve games at right offensive tackle and earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention. Smith broke out as a junior in 2010, earning the Morris Trophy, which recognizes the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast. He was also named First-team All-Pac-10 that season, establishing himself as an elite collegiate prospect.

Tyron Jerrar Smith Career

Dallas Cowboys Era (2011–2023)

Selected ninth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith became the first offensive lineman drafted in the first round by the team since Jerry Jones purchased the franchise in 1989. He signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract and immediately earned a starting role at right tackle from the first day of Organized Team Activities. His opportunity expanded when the Cowboys released veteran offensive linemen Marc Colombo, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, and Montrae Holland during the preseason. Smith started every game as a rookie and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, drawing praise for his advanced technique and athleticism.

Prior to the 2012 season, Smith switched to left tackle, trading positions with Doug Free. He started 15 games that year and continued to develop into one of the league’s premier blockers. In 2013, he committed just one holding penalty and allowed only one sack in 16 starts, demonstrating exceptional consistency. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection that season and was named Second-team All-Pro. Smith emerged as arguably the best left tackle in football in 2014, signing an eight-year, $109 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league at the time. He became the first offensive lineman in 10 years to be named Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Seattle Seahawks and earned First-team All-Pro honors.

Pro Bowl Dominance (2014–2019)

Smith continued his elite play through the mid-2010s. In 2014, he started all 16 games and helped the Cowboys’ offense rank second in the league in rushing while paving the way for DeMarco Murray to become the NFL’s leading rusher. He earned First-team All-Pro recognition and was ranked 36th on the NFL Top 100 Players list. In 2015, Smith again started all 16 games and helped clear the way for the league’s fourth-leading rusher, Darren McFadden, earning his third Pro Bowl selection. He was named First-team All-Pro for the second time in 2016 after helping rookie Ezekiel Elliott lead the NFL in rushing as the Cowboys posted a 13-3 record. He earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2015 and 2023.

The 2017 season saw Smith battle through multiple injuries to his knee, back, groin, and hip. He started 13 games and earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl, the highest-ranked offensive lineman on the NFL Top 100 at 18th. Smith started 13 games in 2018 for his sixth straight Pro Bowl and appeared in 13 games in 2019 for his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl selection since 2013. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team, solidifying his legacy as one of the decade’s top performers.

Later Cowboys Years and Injury Struggles

Smith’s career faced significant challenges in subsequent seasons. In 2020, he announced he would forgo the remainder of the season after choosing to have neck surgery, being placed on injured reserve. The following year brought ankle injuries that caused him to miss six games, but he started 11 games and the Wild Card Round loss to earn another Pro Bowl selection. In 2022, Smith suffered a torn hamstring during training camp and was placed on injured reserve in late August. He was activated in December and moved to right tackle with Tyler Smith’s emergence. He started four regular season games and both playoff games that year. Smith appeared in and started 13 games for the Cowboys in the 2023 season.

New York Jets and Retirement (2024–2025)

On March 18, 2024, Smith signed with the New York Jets on a one-year deal worth up to $20 million. He started the first ten games of the 2024 season before suffering a neck injury that placed him on injured reserve, ending his regular season. On April 15, 2025, Smith signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys after 14 NFL seasons. He appeared in and started 171 games across his career, all 171 starts coming at offensive tackle.

Playing Style and Strengths

Smith was widely regarded as one of the most athletic and technically sound offensive tackles of his era. Former NFL lineman-turned-analyst Ross Tucker described him as the perfect prototype tackle, noting that Smith dominated opponents in ways that seemed impossible at the NFL level. Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 320 pounds, he combined rare size with exceptional footwork and hand placement. His ability to protect the blind side made him invaluable as a left tackle, and his consistency over eight consecutive Pro Bowl seasons demonstrated his sustained excellence across multiple years.

Notable Achievements and Legacy

Smith’s career achievements include eight Pro Bowl selections, two First-team All-Pro honors, three Second-team All-Pro selections, and placement on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2011 and earned the Morris Trophy in college. His $109 million contract in 2014 set a new standard for offensive lineman compensation. Smith was consistently ranked among the league’s top players by his peers, reaching as high as 18th on the NFL Top 100 Players list in 2017 as the highest-ranked offensive lineman that year.

Tyron Jerrar Smith Career Statistics

Smith appeared in 171 games across 14 NFL seasons, all as a starter at offensive tackle. He was a model of durability through his first several seasons before battling injuries later in his career. His eight Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors (combining first and second-team) reflect his sustained dominance at the position.

Tyron Jerrar Smith Family

Smith was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to parents whose identities have remained private throughout his career. He has not publicly disclosed information about siblings or his personal family life. Smith was married at one point, though details about his marital status have not been made public in recent years. He has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the football field throughout his professional career.

2025 Season Performance

Smith officially retired on April 15, 2025, signing a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys to end his career where it began. His retirement came after one season with the New York Jets in 2024, which was cut short by a neck injury. The Cowboys honored their longtime franchise left tackle by facilitating his ceremonial retirement, bringing closure to a 14-year career that began when Jerry Jones selected him ninth overall in 2011. Smith’s retirement marks the end of an era for Cowboys fans, as he became synonymous with excellence at the offensive tackle position during his tenure in Dallas.