The NFL Draft is where college players hope they get to realize their NFL dreams, and for New York Jets receiver Arian Smith, he had to wait until the fourth round to hear his name called.
The Georgia Bulldog comes to the Big Apple off the back of his best-ever college season (817 yards, four touchdowns) to be a part of Tanner Engstrand’s offense in 2025.
Armed with blistering speed, something that general manager Darren Mougey loved about the receiver, Smith will be looking to make an impact once he gets on the field.
Yes, drops are an issue, and the coaching staff will work tirelessly to reel those mistakes in, but Smith is over the moon to be joining Gang Green.
“I felt my phone vibrate, I looked and I saw that it was the Jets,” Smith said via SNY. “I answered it, and my heart just sank, honestly to the floor. They asked me, I’m ready to be a Jet and to get to work, I told them I didn’t have any ifs, ands or buts about it. I told them that I’m ready and that I appreciate them and that I’m honored and blessed that they called me and gave me this opportunity.
“I’m just ready. I wanted it more for my family than myself, I’m just excited for them.”
When Smith says his “heart sank,” he means it in a good way.
Smith now comes to a receiver room headlined by Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Malachi Corley, and Allen Lazard.
Exactly where Smith fits on that depth chart is unknown, but he’s determined to give everything he has to be part of the offense in 2025. Engstrand will no doubt love to use his 4.38 speed and ability to be a gunner on special teams, so Smith has his uses.
It is just a question of whether or not he can prove himself over the offseason to warrant a spot on the final roster, or at the very least, the practice squad.
And you can bet your house that he won’t stop grinding to make his NFL dream a reality.