Will WR Ainias Smith Play For Texas A&M Past 2023?
Texas A&M received a boost in its passing game with the return of do-it-all playmaker Ainias Smith. While Smith is expected to be a factor in the passing game under first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, will 2023 be his final year in College Station?
In an interview with Fox 26 in Houston, Samyra Smith, Ainias Smith's mother, said that her son would use a medical redshirt this upcoming fall, meaning he will have two years of eligibility remaining with the program. Smith suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 4 against Arkansas in the Southwest Classic.
Smith was on pace to break records for the Aggies (5-7, 2-6 SEC) in 2022 before suffering the injury. Late in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium while blocking downfield for quarterback Max Johnson, Smith's leg got trapped underneath Razorback linebacker Bumper Pool.
He would require season-ending surgery later that week. Smith finished the 2022 season with 15 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
A four-year starter, Smith has been Texas A&M's top weapon since arriving from Sugar Land in 2019. Considered a Swiss Army knife by those internally, Smith has taken reps on the perimeter, in the slot, and at running back on offense. Smith also has been effective on special teams, serving as the team's primary punt returner since 2020.
The Aggies' offense spiraled out of control last season under Jimbo Fisher and former offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey. A constant change at quarterback, plus instability on the offensive line hampered Texas A&M's overall production, leading to the program's sub-.500 season since 2008.
Texas A&M is hopeful freshman Conner Weigman's heroics last season will carry over to 2023. The most productive quarterback on the roster, Weigman threw for 898 yards and eight touchdowns in five games, leading the Aggies to a 38-23 upset over No. 5 LSU in the season finale.
Smith's veteran presence should be welcomed by Petrino in Year 1. The Aggies have up-and-comers in the passing game, including leading receiver Evan Stewart and UTEP transfer Tryin Smith. Texas A&M also watched Moose Muhammad III become a an immediate contributor in the slot following Smith's injury. The son of former Pro Bowl wideout Muhsin Muhammad, Moose Muhammad finished with 38 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns.
The Aggies are also expecting a rise in production from freshmen Noah Thomas and Donovan Green. Thomas became a factor on the outside late in the season, totaling five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Green, who split reps at tight end with senior Max Wright, finished with 22 receptions for 233 yards and two scores.
The Aggies will have to replace their production in the backfield following the departure of leading rusher Devon Achane for the NFL draft. Rueben Owens, a 2023 five-star recruit, should receive a fair shot this spring to fight for first-team reps, along with Amari Daniels and Le'Veon Moss.
Smith, who served as the secondary runner behind Isaiah Spiller in 2020, also could see reps in the backfield this season. During his lone year as a running back, Smith recorded 49 rush attempts for 293 yards and scored four touchdowns.
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