Justin Smith

Team
San Francisco 49ers

Position
Defensive Lineman

Date Range
2001-2015

TRANSACTION HISTORY:

  • Retired Monday, May 18, 2015
  • Signed with the 49ers (3/1/08)
  • Drafted fourth overall in the 2001 NFL draft by the Bengals

AWARDS: 

  • 2013 Top 100 Players Ranking (#29)
  • 4x Pro Bowler (2009-2012)
  • 2012 NFC Champion
  • 2012 Second-Team All-Pro
  • 2011 Second-Team All-Pro
  • 2010 Ed Block Courage Award
  • 2000 First-Team All-American
  • 2000 First-Team All Big 12
  • 1999 First-Team All Big 12

PRO CAREER:

SAN FRANCISCO (2008-present):

  • A relentless and explosive defender, two-time All-Pro Justin Smith anchors the 49ers defensive front.
  • Nicknamed “Cowboy” for his blue-collar, midwestern approach to his job, Smith is widely recognized as a leader in the locker room.
  • In 2012, he was named Second-Team AP All-Pro at two different positions (DT & DE) after registering 130 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 1 FR and 2 PDs.
  • His efforts also earned him his 4th straight Pro Bowl selection.
  • In 2011, Smith posted 7.5 sacks and became just the third player in franchise history to register at least 6.0 sacks in four consecutive seasons.
  • Since joining the 49ers in 2008, he has recorded 37.5 sacks and ranks 1st in the NFL among defensive tackles over that span.
  • Smith’s 37.5 sacks also rank 2nd in franchise history among DTs to Dana Stubblefield (46.5).
  • In 2010, he tied his career high with 8.5 sacks, matching the total from his rookie year in 2001.
  • Smith was rewarded with a two-year contract in June of 2013 that will keep him in red and gold through 2015.

COLLEGE:

1999 SEASON

  • One of 19 players on the Bronco Nagurski Award watch list and one of only two sophomores
  • Named first team All-Big 12 by both the coaches and the Associated Press
  • Also voted to the first team by the Kansas City Star, Dallas Morning News and San Antonio Express-News
  • Tied single-season record for quarterback sacks, joining former Tiger greats Bobby Bell, All-American Jeff Gaylord, and current NFL linemen Rick Lyle and Steve Martin with eight quarterback sacks
  • Recorded 92 tackles, good for third on the team with 16 of those tackles for loss
  • Tallied four double-digit tackle games, including a career-high 14 against Iowa State and 12 vs. Nebraska
  • Forced two fumbles, including one against Memphis that changed the momentum of the game to help clinch a victory
  • Blocked a punt in the season opener against UAB that was picked up by teammate John McPherson for the Tigers? first touchdown of the season
  • Off the field, was a force in the classroom … tabbed second team GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America, District VII, as well as first-team Academic All-Big 12.

1998 SEASON

  • The first Tiger true freshman to start every game since CB Adrian Jones in 1986 and both were tabbed as conference defensive freshman of the year
  • Also received Freshman All-America plaudits from Football News and Sporting News
  • Defensive newcomer of the year by the Associated Press, Kansas City Star and Dallas Morning News
  • Led the league’s rookies with 86 tackles, which was second on the Missouri team
  • Led the Tigers with 13 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 3-1/2 sacks
  • Was Mizzou defensive player of the game against Oklahoma and Colorado
  • Made 58 tackles in Mizzou’s last six games and had 11 three times vs. Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.

HIGH SCHOOL:

  • Was one of Mizzou’s first commitments in the 1998 recruiting class
  • Had a monster senior year for the state champion Jeff City Jays, making 124 tackles, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles and two recoveries
  • Also played tight end and caught 15 passes for 270 yards and five touchdowns
  • Ran the ball five times for 59 yards
  • All-stater and two-time all-district choice who landed on Super Prep?s all-America and Top-50 teams
  • Journeyed up Highway 63 from Jeff City along with prep teammate Kirk Farmer
  • Lettered twice in basketball.

PERSONAL:

  • Son of Dave and Ginger Smith
  • Older sister Sarah was the 1999 MU Homecoming Queen and serves as a Tiger Hostess and Diamond Darling
  • High school coach: Ron Cole 
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