Tyron Smith Tyron Smith ( born December 12 , 1990 ) is an American football offensive tackle with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He attended the University of Southern California , entering the NFL draft after his junior year . Smith was selected by the Cowboys with the 9th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft . He signed a four - year , $ 12 . 5 million dollar contract . High school career . Smith attended Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley , California , where he played on the offensive and defensive line . He earned All - American honors by " Parade " , " SuperPrep " , " PrepStar " , " Scout . com " , and " EA Sports " , while also receiving numerous other All - Region honors . As a junior in 2006 , he made Cal - Hi Sports All - State Underclass second team , All - CIF Central Division first team and Riverside Press - Enterprise All - Riverside County second team . Considered a five - star recruit and described as " an amazing right tackle prospect " by " Rivals . com " , Smith was ranked as the No . 6 offensive tackle prospect . " Scout . com " , who also viewed Smith as a five - star recruit , listed him as the No . 1 offensive tackle prospect in the nation . College career . In his initial year at USC , Smith served as the back - up left offensive tackle behind Charles Brown , and appeared on special teams . He appeared in 10 games of the 2008 season . In his sophomore year , he became a starter at right tackle , appearing in every game of the season except for the 2009 Emerald Bowl due to academic ineligibility . He made 2009 All - Pac - 10 honorable mention and CollegeFootballNews . com Sophomore All - American honorable mention . In 2010 , Smith competed with sophomore Matt Kalil for Brown ' s succession at left tackle , eventually losing out . He remained starting right tackle , and was first team All Pac - 10 . He also won the Morris Trophy award as the conference ' s top offensive lineman . Professional career . 2011 NFL Draft . Smith was considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft , along with Gabe Carimi , Anthony Castonzo , and Nate Solder . Selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 9th overall pick , Smith was the first offensive lineman off the board , which was one of the lowest for the first offensive lineman since Jake Long in 2008 . He was the first offensive lineman drafted in the first round by the Cowboys since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989 , and the highest in franchise history since John Niland in 1966 . Dallas Cowboys . 2011 Season . Smith started his rookie season as the starting right tackle for the Cowboys with Doug Free taking over the left tackle spot . Smith started every game at right tackle for the Cowboys in his rookie season , earning praise for his play and prompting the media to speculate on his possible move to left tackle in the near future . 2012 Season . Starting the 2012 season , Tyron has switched to starting left tackle , switching sides on the offensive line with Doug Free . On September 12 , 2012 , Smith was fined $ 15 , 000 for a horse - collar tackle he did during the season opener against the New York Giants . Though , little celebrated was the fact that the tackle was touchdown saving coming after an interception , which led to a goal line stand by the Dallas defense .