So long, Sub Zero: Ainias Smith will enter the 2024 NFL Draft

Receiver Ainias Smith, the most explosive player on the Texas A&M offense, announced on Friday that he is entering the 2024 NFL Draft. His announcement came via Instagram.

http://instagr.am/p/C0mSVGFuWaC

It was announced last week that he would not play in the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl due to injury.

His announcement brings to an end an impressive and versatile five-season career.

A three-star recruit from Fort Bend Dulles High School in 2019, Smith leaves A&M with 180 receptions, 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also averaged 10.2 yards on 82 punt returns. Smith returned punts for touchdowns against South Carolina in 2021 and against Arkansas this season.

Though Smith played five seasons, he still has a year of eligibility as the 2020 pandemic season does not count against a player’s eligibility.

Also, Smith redshirted in 2022 because he only appeared in four games. He sustained a season-ending injury in a 23-21 victory over Arkansas.

Smith caught 16 passes for 190 yards in his freshman season. However, depth issues resulted in his moving to running back for the Texas Bowl. He rushed for 54 yards on seven carries in a 24-21 victory over Oklahoma State.

As a sophomore, he opened the 2020 season as the Aggies’ starting running back. He rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown in a 17-12 victory over Vanderbilt.

However, Isaiah Spiller rushed for 117 yards in that game. That enabled Smith to shift back to receiver.

As a full-time receiver, he caught 43 passes for 564 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. The next season, he had 47 catches for 509 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season, Smith had only 15 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns before the injury against Arkansas.

However, he came back this season to catch 53 passes for 795 yards and two touchdowns.