Smiley, Dog Among Alabama Favorites

Earlier this year, ’BAMA Magazine continued a long tradition of having its readers select the Alabama Team of the Decade. The team was previously announced, but this summer we are revisiting and taking a deeper look at those selected. Linebacker Rolando McClain was the Player of the Decade.

Readers of ’BAMA Magazine had the opportunity to choose four offensive linemen (in addition to center) when they chose the Alabama football Team of the Decade for the first ten years of the New Millennium (2000-2009). One of those selected was Justin Smiley of Ellabell, Ga., who played for the Crimson Tide 2001-03.

Smiley earned All-America honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons before leaving for the NFL and a long professional career. He was drafted by San Francisco. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Smiley was something of a hero of Alabama recruiting stories in that he reportedly spurned Steve Spurrier and Florida because Spurrier and Smiley’s dog didn’t get along.

After a redshirt season, Smiley started every game in his Alabama career. Smiley had almost 500 knockdown blocks in his three-year career at left guard. He was also a star in the weight room, where he set records for offensive linemen.

Smiley was a Freshman All-America in 2001.

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series on members of the Alabama Team of the Decade.