Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith Returns For Super Senior Season
The weather conditions have been chilly to begin the 2023 calendar. At Kyle Field, they're about to get sub-zero.
Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith announced via his Instagram Thursday that he would return for one final season. Smith is eligible for a “super senior” year due to the COVID-19 eligibility waiver handed out to all players during the 2020 season.
One of the more dynamic players in the Jimbo Fisher era, Smith totaled 127 receptions for 1,612 yards and 17 touchdowns during his first four seasons in College Station. He also rushed for 384 yards on 67 carries with four scores.
A native of Sugar Land, Smith worked his way into the starting lineup as the Aggies' slot receiver during 2019 as a freshman. He finished fourth in receiving yards (248) and sixth in receptions (22), while scoring three touchdowns.
A year later, Smith was asked to switch to running back due to the lack of depth behind then-starter Isaiah Spiller. As a sophomore, Smith saw a career-high in carries (49) and rushing yards (293) and paired that with 43 catches for 564 receiving yards. For the season, Smith posted a career-high 10 total touchdowns.
Smith was named a team captain in 2021 and continued to be a go-to target for quarterbacks, leading the Aggies with 47 receptions and six touchdowns. Last season, Smith was on pace for a career year, but a fractured leg injury in the Aggies' 23-21 victory over Arkansas in the Southwest Classic limited him to four games.
Versatility has always been Smith's biggest strength in Aggieland. Since 2019, the 5-10, 190-pounder has returned 62 punts for an average of 8.9 yards per punt and scored a 95-yard touchdown in 2021. He also has factored in on kickoff returns, returning 13 kicks for an average of 19.8 yards per kick.
Smith isn't the only super senior returning in 2023. Safety Demani Richardson announced earlier this offseason that he would return for a fifth year on campus. Defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson, offensive lineman Layden Robinson, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive end Fadil Diggs all announced their intent to return, as well.
The return of Smith will be welcome in the receiver room in terms of veteran leadership. The Aggies lost several key pass-catchers to the transfer portal this offseason, including Chase Lane (Georgia Tech), Chris Marshall (Ole Miss), Devin Price (Appalachian State) and Yulkeith Brown (Tulane.)
Smith should return to his starting role in the slot and be a key contributor for second-year quarterback Conner Weigman, along with Moose Muhammad III, Evan Stewart and Noah Thomas. The Aggies also added vertical receiver Tyrin Smith from UTEP via the portal last month.
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