Alphonso Smith Jr., a standout cornerback at Wake Forest who went on to play four seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, died Wednesday at age 40. Smith shared a troubling social media post in the hours before his death, referencing childhood abuse and personal struggles. Authorities have not publicly released additional details.
Alphonso Smith Jr., one of the most accomplished defensive backs in Wake Forest history, has died at the age of 40, TMZ reported.
His Final Hours
In the hours before his death, Smith shared a difficult message on social media in which he referenced abuse he said he experienced as a child and described personal struggles he had been carrying. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about his death.
From Pahokee to Wake Forest Stardom
Smith, a Pahokee, Florida, native, first made a name for himself at his local high school before taking his talents to Wake Forest, where he became one of the most decorated defensive players in program history.
Playing for the Demon Deacons from 2005 through 2008, Smith finished his college career with 21 interceptions — a Wake Forest record that still stands today. He also recorded 188 tackles and 61 passes defended over his four seasons.
His junior and senior seasons were the stuff of legend. Smith led all of Division I football with eight interceptions in 2007, including three returned for touchdowns — also a national best that year. He followed it up with seven interceptions in 2008, again leading the nation.
Smith earned First Team All-ACC honors in both 2007 and 2008. He was named a Second Team All-American as a junior, then received consensus All-American recognition his senior year. In 2008, he was named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player. His 21 career interceptions also topped the ACC’s career interception list at the time.
His NFL Career
Smith’s standout college career led the Denver Broncos to select him 37th overall in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played 15 games in his rookie season with Denver before being traded to the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2010 season.
That first year in Detroit became the best of his professional career — Smith recorded a career-high five interceptions. He added three more in 2011, giving him eight interceptions over his time in the league. His final NFL season came in 2012, when he appeared in just four games before being waived by the Lions that November. He was not picked up by another team and later retired from professional football.
Over his four-year NFL career, Smith appeared in 42 regular-season games, finishing with 88 tackles, 19 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.
A Lasting Legacy at Wake Forest
Smith never fully stepped away from the program that shaped his career. In 2013, he joined Wake Forest’s radio broadcast team, staying connected to the Demon Deacons long after his playing days ended.
His contributions to the program were formally recognized when he was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2021–22 class.
Smith leaves behind a legacy as one of the most prolific defensive backs in Wake Forest history, with his single-season and career interception records still standing more than 15 years later.
