Ainias Smith committed to Texas A&M after filling many roles at high school in Sugar Land, Texas. He was used equally as a running back and wide receiver, plus returned kicks and punts and even threw 27 passes along the way. He also played some free safety and cornerback as one of those talented players that prompt coaches into saying, “how else can we use this guy?”
Smith played minimally as a freshman while playing in a dual role. In 2020, he was officially switched to being a running back where he was given five to ten carries in most games, along with three to five receptions. His 43 receptions, even as a running back, led the Aggies.
He switched back to being primarily a wideout as a junior when his 47 catches again paced the team. He then fractured his right leg after five games in 2022 and missed the rest of the season. He accounted for more than a quarter of the Aggies total offense at the time he was injured.
The fifth-year senior again led the team in receiving last year but was limited to only five carries. He wrapped up his career as a versatile weapon for the Aggies while playing through injuries and contending with inconsistent play from their quarterbacks.
Height: 5-9
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds estimated
Smith’s measurements at the NFL Combine saw him even smaller than the Aggies had stated. He weighed in ten pounds less at 190 and was only 5-9. He was also diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left shin and held himself out of all of the drills. He is expected to be a Day 3 selection.
Table: Ainias Smith NCAA stats (2020-23)
| Year | School | Games | Catch | Yards | Avg. | TD | Rush | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Texas A&M | 12 | 22 | 248 | 11.3 | 3 | 7 | 54 | 0 |
| 2020 | Texas A&M | 10 | 43 | 564 | 13.1 | 6 | 49 | 293 | 4 |
| 2021 | Texas A&M | 12 | 47 | 509 | 10.8 | 6 | 8 | 26 | 0 |
| 2022 | Texas A&M | 4 | 15 | 291 | 19.4 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | Texas A&M | 12 | 53 | 75 | 15.0 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 0 |
Pros
- Versatile play-maker for the Aggies who can fit into an NFL offense looking for a special weapon. Very coachable and can do anything.
- Excellent vision in open field – homerun ability when he has the ball.
- Diverse talent set allow him to contribute in many ways. Can run, receive, and return. Likely will be an immediate return man.
- Adequate pass protection and willing run blocker who is better than most his size.
- Shifty and elusive. Superior start-stop ability aids yards after catch.
Cons
- Seemed to lose top-end acceleration after his broken leg in 2022, but hopes that he’s completely recovered for 2024. Stress fracture at the combine doesn’t help.
- Smaller size and injury history prompts durability concerns.
- Small catch radius
- Quicker than fast
- Lacks the size and strength to land contested catches
Fantasy outlook
The rookie prospects for Ainias Smith are limited. He’s a player that will have much more NFL value for his team than reliable fantasy value. As with most players that enter the NFL with a diverse set of skills, Smith may not fit into a specific role enough for the volume needed to matter in fantasy.
Smith is worth tracking and is likely a Day 3 pick, so he could land anywhere. Until his role is clear and proven on his new team, he’ll be hard pressed to show up much as a rookie, though his ability to return kicks and punts could make him much more valuable.