Perhaps the most important player on Texas A&M’s roster this season, who is better known as “Sub Zero” to most of the Aggie fan base, senior do-it-all wide receiver Ainias Smith has returned to Aggieland for what will be his final season after his 2022 campaign sadly ended due to injury after just four games, as Smith was on his way to a career year after already accumulating 15 receptions, 291 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Joining a stacked starting wide receiver score featuring Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad III, and Noah Thomas, Smith’s vast experience, route running, downfield speed, and noted versatility in the backfield has led to his well deserved inclusion into ESPN’s Top 100 players for 2023, coming in at No. 67 as the only Aggie included in the rankings.
Arguably the biggest win of the offseason for the Aggies was getting Smith to return for his senior season. He’s as dynamic a playmaker as anyone in the SEC, whether he’s lining up at receiver, running back, or returning kicks and punts. In four seasons, he’s amassed 2,804 yards from scrimmage.
Smith will likely return to his regular slot receiver duties. Still, after taking a handful of reps at running back this fall, I wouldn’t be surprised if new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino attempts to pull a fast one on opponents early this season to utilize his skillset fully.
Furthermore, Smith’s return to the locker room as a reliable voice and proven leader is one of the many reasons things went sound in 2022, making his return vital to Texas A&M’s finally getting over the proverbial hump towards the primary goal of rebounding in 2023.
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