Ainias Smith announces he will return for senior season at Texas A&M

Shooz. Sub Zero is back for Year Four.

Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith announced on Wednesday via his Instagram that he will return for his fourth season in Maroon & White. One of the most versatile offensive players in the country, Smith’s ability and experience gives Jimbo Fisher another valuable weapon in the slot and the backfield for 2022.

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“To my new family, The 12th Man, y’all have accepted me for who I am and pushed me to go hard,” Smith wrote. “Because of y’all, I want to grow and better myself as a player and a leader. With that being said, I’ve decided to come back for my senior year to represent this program one last time.”

A junior in 2021, Smith led A&M pass catchers with 47 receptions and six touchdowns. Smith’s 509 receiving yards ranked season among Aggies as only tight end Jalen Wydermyer went for more (515).

Perhaps Smith’s shining moment came in the Aggies’ 41-38 upset of No. 1 Alabama in which he caught a pair of touchdown passes, including an over-the-shoulder grab with three minutes remaining to tie the Tide, 38-38. He had six catches for 85 yards in the historic victory.

Smith also plays a crucial role on special teams, returning punts for the Aggies. In A&M’s lopsided victory over South Carolina this season, Smith returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown en route to SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. However, he did not return punts in the Aggies’ loss to LSU as he was hobbled by a foot injury.

Through three seasons in Aggieland, Smith has caught 112 passes for 1,321 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also contributed on the ground with 64 carries, 373 yards and four touchdowns, all of which came in 2020.

Smith began his time as a wide receiver but moved to running back as a freshman out of necessity following season-ending injuries and transfers at the position in 2019. After the emergence of Devon Achane, Smith shifted back to receiver almost full-time in 2021.

Smith arrived in College Station as an underrated three-star prospect in Texas A&M’s 2019 signing class. The Fort Bend Dulles product has since become an all-time fan favorite.