Smith named Playboy Preseason All-American

TUSCALOOSA | Andre Smith is headed to the pages of Playboy magazine.

The University of Alabama’s junior offensive tackle 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,” Smith said. “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.”

Smith got to take part in activities with the other selected players last Friday.

“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,” Smith said. “Overall, it was a great weekend, and I appreciate Gil Brandt and Gary and Nancy Cole for putting it all together.”

Smith took part in an eventful weekend which included 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-Southeastern Conference 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.