SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Football

Fantasy football, part II

Alex Smith signs guaranteed $24 million NFL contract

Helix High School graduate Alex Smith, the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick, has 24 million reasons to smile after signing a six-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, July 25. The deal calls for $24 million in guaranteed money, including a signing bonus, and is expected to average $8.25 million per year.

According to various reports, the total value of the contract could be worth between $49.5 million and $57 million.

Smith will report to the 49ers’ 2005 training camp in Santa Clara on Friday, July 29.

Despite his rookie status, Smith is expected to contend for the starting quarterback job as the 49ers attempt to rebound from a 2-14 season. San Francisco also opens the season with a new head coach, Mike Nolan.

Eli Manning, last year’s top NFL draft pick, signed with the New York Giants for $20 million, with an annual salary of $7.5 million.

A finalist for the 2004 Heisman Award, Smith opted for the 2005 NFL Draft after completing his junior season at the University of Utah. He led the Utes to their second consecutive Mountain West Conference championship, a 12-0 record, victory in the Fiesta Bowl and final No. 4 ranking in the country by completing 185 of 280 passes for 2,624 yards with 28 touchdowns.

The 49ers open their preseason schedule with an Aug. 13 matchup against the Oakland Raiders, followed by exhibition games at Denver on Aug. 20, a home contest on Aug. 26 against the Tennessee Titans and Sept. 1 against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

San Francisco kicks off regular season play Sept. 11 with a home game against the St. Louis Rams.

In June, Smith was inducted into Helix High’s Football Hall of Fame.