Former Missouri standout and NFL pass rusher Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36. Smith was one of the most dominant defensive players in recent Tigers history, recording 14.5 sacks in just 23 games during two seasons at Missouri. His combination of size, speed and athleticism made him one of the nation’s top defensive prospects and helped him become the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Smith’s rise at Missouri attracted significant attention from NFL scouts, including then-San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who attended Missouri’s Pro Day prior to the draft. While many expected the 49ers to target quarterback Blaine Gabbert, San Francisco instead selected Smith with the seventh overall pick. Gabbert was later chosen by Jacksonville with the 11th pick.
Smith made an immediate impact in the NFL. He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after totaling 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits during the 2011 season. He followed that performance with a career-best 19.5 sacks in 2012, earning Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors. His 19.5 sacks remain a single-season franchise record for the 49ers.
Over six NFL seasons, Smith played for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He appeared in 59 career games and recorded 52.5 sacks. Although his career was interrupted by multiple league suspensions, Smith returned to the NFL in 2020 and played all 16 games for Dallas that season. He remains one of the most accomplished defensive players to come through Missouri’s football program.