Aggies WR Ainias Smith Looking To Recapture 2020 Magic
COLLEGE STATION -- Ainias Smith didn't tell anyone of his plans following Texas A&M's 38-23 upset win over then-No. 5 LSU in the season finale last November, but his mind had already been made up.
Smith, A&M's go-to offensive weapon the previous two seasons, likely would have tested the NFL market had he played the entire season for the Aggies. Garnering mid-round status entering his senior season, a productive year in College Station likely would have solidified his status as a dynamic playmaker with skills to make an impact on special teams.
Naturally, that didn't happen. A lower-leg injury suffered in Week 4's win over Arkansas at AT&T Stadium sidelined him for the rest of the year. And while he could have gone pro and bet on himself, that wasn't the way Smith envisioned his final season in College Station going.
Now, he's back for another year with the Aggies. Hopefully, one that ends with a winning record and positive potential.
"I came back, and I’m very excited to be here," Smith said during A&M's first press conference of the new season. "Spring is here and I’m ready to get going — ready to get back on the field.”
The return of Smith won't just benefit his draft stock should he duplicate similar results to 2020 and 2021, but also the stock of the Aggies. A&M started the season 3-1 when Smith was catching passes and fielding punt returns. It finished the year 5-7, losing six straight games in conference play.
Changes are coming to the program in Year 6 of the Jimbo Fisher era. At least they are on paper. Fisher fired longtime offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey and hired former Louisville and Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino in his place.
Fisher can say whatever to keep fans and reporters guessing on what will happen in terms of the play-calling, but Petrino wasn't brought in to hold a clipboard and give opinions. Prior to the Aggies' matchup against the Tigers at Kyle Field, Fisher said he'd be more than happy to relinquish the offensive playbook to take on more of a CEO-type role.
So far in practice, it's been Petrino running the offense in team drills. Smith said the team's identity would have more of "an up-tempo" feel than in years past, as well.
"There's a lot of speed, and hopefully a lot of touchdowns, for sure," Smith joked about Petrino's offensive personnel.
Maybe that's a positive for A&M, which finished 93rd in total yards and 101st in scoring a season ago. The roster has much more of a veteran feel outside of Smith, who's totaled nearly 2,000 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns during his four years in Aggieland.
A&M returns its four leading receivers in Smith, Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad III and tight end Donovan Green for whoever wins the title of QB1 between Conner Weigman and Max Johnson. Muhammad filled in for Smith following his injury and became a focal point of the offense, hauling in 38 catches for 610 yards and four TDs.
"Moose has definitely grown a lot," Smith said of the junior from North Carolina. "I'm very proud of where he's come from, the growth and development of what he's shown over the past few years and his leadership and just how much more mature he's become. It definitely impressed me."
How Fisher will utilize Muhammad and Smith remains a mystery. Both players often saw most of their success come from inside the slot, but Smith also has experience playing other positions. In 2020, Smith lined up everywhere, including running back behind Isiah Spiller to fortify the run game.
That season, A&M proved its value as a viable contender in the SEC, finishing 9-1 with an Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina and a No. 4 finish in the AP Poll.
That's a feeling Smith hopes to recapture in what could be his final season at A&M. To do so, it starts by setting a standard in the spring, something Smith plans on implementing among all players, regardless of age or role on the depth chart.
"There's no gap or space for error. I think that all starts in practice," Smith said. "Not even so much just practice, but the way we live our lives and our lifestyles outside of football and outside of this facility. You're not able to necessarily just be out there doing whatever you want, especially if we want to get somewhere where a lot of people have been.
"If we want to get to that place, then we're going to need to take those necessary steps."
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