Willie Smith (offensive tackle, born 1986)

Willie Junior Smith (born November 13, 1986) is a former American football offensive tackle. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for East Carolina University.

Willie Smith

Smith at Redskins training camp in 2011.
No. 69, 79
Position:	Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1986-11-13) November 13, 1986 (age 37) Smithfield, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	310 lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:	Kenly (NC) North Johnston
College:	East Carolina
Undrafted:	2011
Career history
Washington Redskins (2011) Oakland Raiders (2012–2013) San Diego Chargers (2013–2014) Washington Redskins (2015)* Carolina Panthers (2016)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 29 Games started: 11 Stats at Pro Football Reference

He was also a member of the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	310 lb (141 kg)	341⁄2	111⁄4	5.50 s	1.85 s	3.11 s	4.83 s	7.95 s	30.5 in (0.77 m)	8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
All values from NFL Combine[1][2]

Washington Redskins (first stint)

On July 28, 2011, the Washington Redskins signed Smith as an undrafted free agent.^[3] Due to the suspension of Trent Williams, he played his first professional game in Week 14 of the 2011 season, rotating the left tackle position with Sean Locklear.^[4] In Week 15 against the New York Giants, Smith would start his first game instead of Locklear.^[5] He continued to start as the left tackle for the rest of the 2011 season. Smith has received praise for his ability to defend against elite pass rushers Jason Pierre-Paul, Jared Allen, and Trent Cole, despite being a rookie.^[6]

During training camp in 2012, Smith split snaps at right tackle with Tyler Polumbus and Maurice Hurt after Jammal Brown was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.^[7] He was released on August 31, 2012 for final cuts before the start of the 2012 season.^[8]

Oakland Raiders

On September 1, 2012, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders.^[9] On September 27, 2013, he was released.

San Diego Chargers

On November 18, 2013, Smith signed a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers.^[10]

Washington Redskins (second stint)

Smith re-signed with the Redskins on June 2, 2015.^[11] He was released on August 31.^[12]

Carolina Panthers

On August 18, 2016, Smith signed with the Carolina Panthers.^[13] He was released by the Panthers on August 28, 2016.^[14]

References

1. NFL Combine Profile
2. NFL Draft Scout
3. Fitzgerald, Gary (July 28, 2011). "Redskins Sign Three Undrafted Rookies". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
4. Jones, Mike (December 11, 2011). "Fill-in tackles Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus impress Coach Mike Shanahan". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
5. "Willie Smith starts for Sean Locklear at LT for Redskins". AOLSportingNews.com. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
6. Fitzgerald, Gary (January 17, 2012). "Smith Stepped Up Against Elite Pass Rushers". Redskins.com. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
7. Whyno, Stephen (July 26, 2012). "Redskins place Jammal Brown on PUP list with hip soreness". WashingtonTimes.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
8. Jones, Mike (August 31, 2012). "Redskins' cutdown day begins". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
9. Corkran, Steve (September 1, 2012). "Raiders sign offensive tackle". Inside the Oakland Raiders.
10. Gehlken, Michael (November 18, 2013). "Chargers sign Willie Smith ex-Raiders Tackle". UTSanDiego.com. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
11. Walker, Andrew (June 2, 2015). "Redskins Bring Back Tackle Willie Smith". Redskins.com. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
12. Keim, John (August 31, 2015). "Washington Redskins cut 13 players, including Willie Smith". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
13. Henson, Max. "Panthers sign OT Willie Smith". Panthers.com.
14. "Willie Smith". foxsports.com. Retrieved July 26, 2017.

External links

• East Carolina Pirates bio
• Oakland Raiders bio Archived September 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
• San Diego Chargers bio