Tide’s Smith is NFL bound

Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith, the Outland Trophy winner as the nation’s best lineman, officially announced Saturday night that he would enter the NFL Draft.

Smith’s decision wasn’t a surprise. He was suspended for the Sugar Bowl by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban for undisclosed reasons. That sparked widely reported speculation of improper contact with an agent, either by Smith or someone close to him.

Smith’s three-sentence announcement was released by the Montgomery law firm Thomas, Means, Gillis & Seay. It reads:
“I value deeply the opportunity I’ve had to play for such a prestigious program and to have the support of such a prolific coach in Nick Saban. After much consideration, I am proud of announce my intent to become eligible for the next National Football League draft. Alabama football will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Smith is projected as a top draft pick. A brief search of five mock drafts on Sunday night projected him anywhere from the first pick to the Detroit Lions to the seventh pick to the Oakland Raiders. Three drafts, however, have Smith going to the St. Louis Rams with the second overall pick.

Even after the suspension, both Smith and Saban left open the possibility of his return. But Smith said last week he wanted to talk with Saban before making his decision.

Apparently, that meeting took place when the team arrived home from its 31-17 Sugar Bowl loss to Utah. Alabama, which rushed for a season-low 31 yards against Utah in the bowl game, must replace two first-team All-American linemen – Smith and senior center Antoine Caldwell.

Saban did not issue a statement Sunday. He discussed the situation last Wednesday after practice.

“Andre Smith is a fine young man and he did a great job here for us,” the coach said. “He may be doing a great job for someone else in the future or he may be doing a great job for us in the future. …

“He has represented himself, his family, and this university in a fine fashion and we are pleased with what he has done to help make this team successful. His legacy as a player here should be the fact that he made All-American here and that is a reflection of the hard work that he has put in during his three years here.”

Smith surrendered just one sack all season, and just seven in his 37-game Alabama career. He has failed to start at left tackle just once in his three years at Alabama. That came against Tulane this season. He sprained his knee in the season-opening victory over Clemson.

Smith was named a first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of American, Walter Camp, Sporting News, Associated Press and Pro Football Weekly.