Desire, Family & Football, Alphonso Smith’s Journey at Wake Forest is Unrivaled
12/13/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football, General
Former Wake Forest defensive back Alphonso Smith is one of the greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference history and will be honored this spring as a Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Inductee.
As a sophomore at Wake Forest University, cornerback Alphonso Smith was called to defensive coordinator Dean Hood's office for what turned out to be the most direct and transformative conversation of his life.
Hood drew two circles on the board in front of him, with "10%" written in both, but the word "top" was in one of the circles and "bottom" in the other.
"Alphonso, let me tell you something," Hood said, according to Smith. "As a player, you're in the top 10 percent in Wake Forest history. Your athleticism, charisma, passion, toughness, and competitiveness, are up there with Chris Paul, Webb Simpson and Brian Piccolo — you're cut from that cloth.
"But as a person, you're in the bottom 10 percent. One of the worst dudes on this team. Nobody would take you into their foxhole."
Smith had cut short his 10 hours required study hall time, and that deficiency had been reported to Coach Hood.
"Because you're so good athletically, you're going to have a group of followers," Hood explained to Smith. "I'll be damned if you're going to be a horrible person on my watch. I judge myself as a coach not by how many interceptions you get, but in 10 years what kind of husband you are, what kind of man you are in the community and what kind of father you are. That's how I judge myself as a coach.
"You're not going to start another game at Wake Forest until I see you're a better person."
Smith didn't start another game in the 2006 Wake Forest ACC Championship season.
"I didn't really transform into a Wake Forest student until after that discussion," Smith said. "My junior and senior years I no longer had to look over my shoulder. I no longer had to worry about consequences because I had skipped class, screwed around in the weight room or did something stupid.
"Coach Hood helped me through all that and it brings me to tears what he did for me."
Smith returned as a fixture in the starting lineup for his final two seasons — leading the nation with eight interceptions in 2007 then again with seven in 2008. His 21 career interceptions is an ACC record that may never be topped. Smith was named to multiple All-ACC and All-American teams and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2008 — an award that recognizes the top defensive player in college football.
Smith has now been announced as a member of the 2021-22 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame class.
"The growth, the gratification and the education that I got at Wake Forest was transformational," Smith said. "What Wake Forest did for me was a lot greater than what I did for them."
Wake Forest was not an option for Smith until Florida State pulled an offer from the talented Pahokee High School prospect. He had previously committed to Pitt, but backed away from that pledge before his senior season.
"The only thing I knew about Wake Forest at that point was that Chris Paul had just signed the year before and Tim Duncan was a legendary basketball player from there," Smith explained. "They told me that if I went there and was good enough, I would be the best at that position. But even more, you're going to become a better person. You're going to get a top notch education and you're not going to meet better people."
He was also hearing from other ACC schools like NC State and North Carolina.
With that, his best friend and Pahokee teammate Antonio Wilson had already committed to the Demon Deacons and really wanted Smith to join him in Winston-Salem.
When 2004 National Signing Day arrived, Smith signed with Wake Forest.
"I sat between DJ Boldin and Antonio Wilson, who were the best recruiters in Wake Forest history, because they were the reason I came," he said.
"It was the best decision I ever made in my life."
Growing up, Smith mostly played on offense, starring at quarterback from the age of seven until his freshman year of high school. He led his high school team in interceptions both as a freshman and sophomore.
"I prided myself on being the best receiver on defense," Smith said, "I was not thinking about breakups. I was thinking about interceptions. I had a sense of calmness. I always played shortstop and centerfield in baseball and never panicked with the ball in the air.
"My mind was different — catch the ball, not touch the ball."
A confident Smith arrived on campus in the summer of 2004, immediately ready to challenge himself against the likes of Eric King and Jason Anderson — successful, older Wake Forest receivers who went on to the NFL.
"I walk up to them like 'let's do it,'" Smith recalls. "Who is this cocky freshman? What they did not know is just two weeks before I had gone against Anquan Boldin and Santonio Holmes, with Boldin coming off a Pro Bowl year where he had 1,300 yards in the NFL and Holmes had run past every guy in the Big Ten and was ready to be drafted.
"So Jason Anderson, I don't even know you. I knew I was different."
But that was Smith as a freshman, well before the infamous chat with Hood.
"He just had incredible confidence and an aura about him," Hood said. "After working with him some to redirect some of his energy and passion — we wanted to win games, but I wanted him to be a winner. I wanted him to be a champion. You can win a lot of ball games, but you have to teach kids to be a good husband, father and leader in their community.
"We wanted to be about more than just football. He really matured and that helped his game. When you have someone who's talented, a hard worker and also fights for his teammates, then you really have something. That's where he ended up arriving."
Smith also claimed in that first summer on campus that the Deacs were going to beat Florida State, something that hadn't been accomplished since 1973. Wake Forest had lost 12-straight times when Smith made that proclamation.
Wake Forest did indeed defeat the Noles in Smith's final three seasons, including a 30-0 victory in Tallahassee en route to the 2006 ACC Championship.
"He is one of my all-time favorite guys who I have coached," Hood recalls. "I have some grey hairs I can attribute to Alphonso."
Smith attributes the success they had on the field in the late-2000s to bringing in a group of guys who won championships at the high-school level before getting to Winston-Salem.
"Kevin Patterson was probably the best football player on our team," Smith said. "We came in as state champs. We had guys at programs who won state championships. So now you have a team of winners and we knew what it felt like and what it would take."
After winning the ACC Championship and playing in the Orange Bowl in 2006, the Deacs went 9-4 and 8-5 the next two seasons — which at that point was the longest sustained success in Wake Forest football history.
"I was coming off the bench during the best year in Wake Forest history," Smith recalls. "Sophomore year was the best year for Wake Forest, but the worst year for me on the field and yet the best for me as a man.
"It's the truth. Coach Hood changed my life."
Reflecting now, Smith is able to fully realize how much he learned during his five years at Wake Forest — in addition to the skills he sharpened on the gridiron.
"I learned how to shake a hand, articulate myself and properly write," he said. "I learned how to tie a tie, proper etiquette and how to treat people. I learned how to win situations. I took my life experiences with the Wake Forest polish and I became the most powerful dude in the room at times.
Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and played a total of four seasons — three with the Detroit Lions.
"It was challenging and had its ups and downs," Smith said. "But it was a lifelong dream. I made my plays there too."
Smith's mother was 15 when he was born, his father just 16. He was instead raised by his aunt and uncle. His uncle never missed a game at any level, Smith said, but he never saw his father.
"I always longed for my mom and dad," Smith said. "He could easily sit on his porch, drink a beer and watch my games, but he did not."
According to Smith, it was that longing that fueled him throughout his career — from Pahokee, to Winston-Salem, to Detroit.
"I always search for that 'why' — why am I going to push that hard," Smith said." Instead of allowing that to cripple me, that was my why. That's why I played so hard, was so cocky and so flamboyant. I reveled in the screaming of the crowd, because that was the acceptance I desired.
"That fuel made me a monster when it was time to go."
Smith bought his father a brand-new Ford F-150 with one of his first NFL checks, bringing him to tears.
"He weeped because he knew he was undeserving," Smith said.
"No, you're most deserving," Smith told his father. "You put that dawg in me. Thank you for that 'why.'"
Hood drew two circles on the board in front of him, with "10%" written in both, but the word "top" was in one of the circles and "bottom" in the other.
"Alphonso, let me tell you something," Hood said, according to Smith. "As a player, you're in the top 10 percent in Wake Forest history. Your athleticism, charisma, passion, toughness, and competitiveness, are up there with Chris Paul, Webb Simpson and Brian Piccolo — you're cut from that cloth.
"But as a person, you're in the bottom 10 percent. One of the worst dudes on this team. Nobody would take you into their foxhole."
Smith had cut short his 10 hours required study hall time, and that deficiency had been reported to Coach Hood.
"Because you're so good athletically, you're going to have a group of followers," Hood explained to Smith. "I'll be damned if you're going to be a horrible person on my watch. I judge myself as a coach not by how many interceptions you get, but in 10 years what kind of husband you are, what kind of man you are in the community and what kind of father you are. That's how I judge myself as a coach.
"You're not going to start another game at Wake Forest until I see you're a better person."
Smith didn't start another game in the 2006 Wake Forest ACC Championship season.
"I didn't really transform into a Wake Forest student until after that discussion," Smith said. "My junior and senior years I no longer had to look over my shoulder. I no longer had to worry about consequences because I had skipped class, screwed around in the weight room or did something stupid.
"Coach Hood helped me through all that and it brings me to tears what he did for me."
Smith returned as a fixture in the starting lineup for his final two seasons — leading the nation with eight interceptions in 2007 then again with seven in 2008. His 21 career interceptions is an ACC record that may never be topped. Smith was named to multiple All-ACC and All-American teams and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2008 — an award that recognizes the top defensive player in college football.
Smith has now been announced as a member of the 2021-22 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame class.
"The growth, the gratification and the education that I got at Wake Forest was transformational," Smith said. "What Wake Forest did for me was a lot greater than what I did for them."
Wake Forest was not an option for Smith until Florida State pulled an offer from the talented Pahokee High School prospect. He had previously committed to Pitt, but backed away from that pledge before his senior season.
"The only thing I knew about Wake Forest at that point was that Chris Paul had just signed the year before and Tim Duncan was a legendary basketball player from there," Smith explained. "They told me that if I went there and was good enough, I would be the best at that position. But even more, you're going to become a better person. You're going to get a top notch education and you're not going to meet better people."
He was also hearing from other ACC schools like NC State and North Carolina.
With that, his best friend and Pahokee teammate Antonio Wilson had already committed to the Demon Deacons and really wanted Smith to join him in Winston-Salem.
When 2004 National Signing Day arrived, Smith signed with Wake Forest.
"I sat between DJ Boldin and Antonio Wilson, who were the best recruiters in Wake Forest history, because they were the reason I came," he said.
"It was the best decision I ever made in my life."
Growing up, Smith mostly played on offense, starring at quarterback from the age of seven until his freshman year of high school. He led his high school team in interceptions both as a freshman and sophomore.
"I prided myself on being the best receiver on defense," Smith said, "I was not thinking about breakups. I was thinking about interceptions. I had a sense of calmness. I always played shortstop and centerfield in baseball and never panicked with the ball in the air.
"My mind was different — catch the ball, not touch the ball."
A confident Smith arrived on campus in the summer of 2004, immediately ready to challenge himself against the likes of Eric King and Jason Anderson — successful, older Wake Forest receivers who went on to the NFL.
"I walk up to them like 'let's do it,'" Smith recalls. "Who is this cocky freshman? What they did not know is just two weeks before I had gone against Anquan Boldin and Santonio Holmes, with Boldin coming off a Pro Bowl year where he had 1,300 yards in the NFL and Holmes had run past every guy in the Big Ten and was ready to be drafted.
"So Jason Anderson, I don't even know you. I knew I was different."
But that was Smith as a freshman, well before the infamous chat with Hood.
"He just had incredible confidence and an aura about him," Hood said. "After working with him some to redirect some of his energy and passion — we wanted to win games, but I wanted him to be a winner. I wanted him to be a champion. You can win a lot of ball games, but you have to teach kids to be a good husband, father and leader in their community.
"We wanted to be about more than just football. He really matured and that helped his game. When you have someone who's talented, a hard worker and also fights for his teammates, then you really have something. That's where he ended up arriving."
Smith also claimed in that first summer on campus that the Deacs were going to beat Florida State, something that hadn't been accomplished since 1973. Wake Forest had lost 12-straight times when Smith made that proclamation.
Wake Forest did indeed defeat the Noles in Smith's final three seasons, including a 30-0 victory in Tallahassee en route to the 2006 ACC Championship.
"He is one of my all-time favorite guys who I have coached," Hood recalls. "I have some grey hairs I can attribute to Alphonso."
Smith attributes the success they had on the field in the late-2000s to bringing in a group of guys who won championships at the high-school level before getting to Winston-Salem.
"Kevin Patterson was probably the best football player on our team," Smith said. "We came in as state champs. We had guys at programs who won state championships. So now you have a team of winners and we knew what it felt like and what it would take."
After winning the ACC Championship and playing in the Orange Bowl in 2006, the Deacs went 9-4 and 8-5 the next two seasons — which at that point was the longest sustained success in Wake Forest football history.
"I was coming off the bench during the best year in Wake Forest history," Smith recalls. "Sophomore year was the best year for Wake Forest, but the worst year for me on the field and yet the best for me as a man.
"It's the truth. Coach Hood changed my life."
Reflecting now, Smith is able to fully realize how much he learned during his five years at Wake Forest — in addition to the skills he sharpened on the gridiron.
"I learned how to shake a hand, articulate myself and properly write," he said. "I learned how to tie a tie, proper etiquette and how to treat people. I learned how to win situations. I took my life experiences with the Wake Forest polish and I became the most powerful dude in the room at times.
Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and played a total of four seasons — three with the Detroit Lions.
"It was challenging and had its ups and downs," Smith said. "But it was a lifelong dream. I made my plays there too."
Smith's mother was 15 when he was born, his father just 16. He was instead raised by his aunt and uncle. His uncle never missed a game at any level, Smith said, but he never saw his father.
"I always longed for my mom and dad," Smith said. "He could easily sit on his porch, drink a beer and watch my games, but he did not."
According to Smith, it was that longing that fueled him throughout his career — from Pahokee, to Winston-Salem, to Detroit.
"I always search for that 'why' — why am I going to push that hard," Smith said." Instead of allowing that to cripple me, that was my why. That's why I played so hard, was so cocky and so flamboyant. I reveled in the screaming of the crowd, because that was the acceptance I desired.
"That fuel made me a monster when it was time to go."
Smith bought his father a brand-new Ford F-150 with one of his first NFL checks, bringing him to tears.
"He weeped because he knew he was undeserving," Smith said.
"No, you're most deserving," Smith told his father. "You put that dawg in me. Thank you for that 'why.'"
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