SIOC visits Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith at home

	It's not exactly a 60-inch plasma, but this 13-inch flat panel is just fine for Smith's bedroom. Photo by Gerard McMahon

By Gerard McMahon

If you've turned on a TV in the past few years, you've likely seen MTV's opus to extravagant living called Cribs, in which celebrities with way too much money take viewers on a tour of their not-so-humble abodes. Well, SIOC wanted in on the fun too, but we encountered one major problem: The living accommodations of students are far from extravagant. Undeterred, we pressed on, visiting countless dorm rooms and off-campus apartments to show you how the college athlete lives. Our first stop: Wake Forest, where we peeked into the dorm room of sophomore cornerback Alphonso Smith.

Smith is just your average 20-year-old kid. He likes singing, cooking and making other people laugh -- just like you and me. There's only one difference between us and him: Smith stars at cornerback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the ACC.

After a stellar redshirt freshman season a year ago, CollegeFootballNews.com, ESPN and Scout.com all named Smith a first-team Freshman All-America. After ranking among the top freshmen nationally with eight tackles for loss, 12 passes defended and three interceptions, Smith enters his sophomore season as an acknowledged force in the ACC.

Smith, a self-confessed Sneakerhead, also has some shoes to wear on formal occasions Photo by Gerard McMahon

SIOC's Gerard McMahon recently stopped by Smith's on-campus apartment, located on Wake's North Campus, to check his place out.

Gotta be the shoes

Like most college athletes, Smith considers himself a bit of a sneakerhead. "I have enough shoes to go on for days," Smith said as he picked up a couple of his favorites. "I always try to represent the black-and-gold for Wake Forest. I have to show my pride." Though he wouldn't pick a favorite brand, Smith appears to be a Nike guy, as they were the most popular, and most worn, kicks in his collection.

Stylin'

Real men wear purple, or at least own one purple polo shirt. Photo by Gerard McMahon

Smith's eclectic shirt collection in his closet prodded me to ask just one question: Purple, man? A purple shirt?

"You know I have to have at least one polo," Smith laughed. "Sometimes I just have to look nice."

Clothes aren't Smith's only hobby. Known by some of his teammates as the team's best singer -- but known by more as its worst -- Smith takes great pride in his CD collection, which he keeps in his car. The car was MIA at the time of our visit, so we just had to take Smith's word for it.

"All the greats -- gospel, rap, whatever I'm in the mood for," he joked.