William Smith is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He played college football at Ohio State University. Smith was born in Queens, New York to William and Lisa Smith. At Proctor High School in Utica, New York, Smith was a USA Today All-American pick, and was rated by Prep Football Report as the best defensive line prospect in the state. As a senior he had 20 sacks. 430-pound bench press. 585-pound squat. 325-pound power clean. Smith was selected as the 18th pick in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He had... a successful rookie season with 30 tackles and 7.5 sacks. In 2005 he had 48 tackles and 8.5 sacks and played well enough that the Saints did not re-sign Darren Howard thus making Smith the starter opposite Charles Grant for the 2006 season. Smith is gradually establishing himself as one of the premier defensive ends in the NFL. In his first season as a full-time starter, Smith became a leader of the defensive line and emerged as one of the NFL’s top defensive ends. He was voted to the Pro Bowl and finished tied for 14th in the NFL with a career-best 10.5 sacks.
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