HOUSTON – Texas A&M standout wide receiver Ainias Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round, realizing his childhood dream.
“Man, it’s crazy how everything played out,” Smith told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview after he was selected by the Eagles. “It was definitely a dream come true. I’m definitely appreciative and blessed and honored to have an opportunity like this. I’m just ready to get to work.
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“I just want to show everybody I’m that guy. Not so much trying to brag on myself, I’m a real humble kid. I’m going to go out there and prove it to everybody that believed in me, prove everybody right and put on a show and do it all for God.”
Smith is making a speedy recovery from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his shin.
He is expected to be fully cleared for running and football activities this spring.
“My body is feeling good,” Smith said. “Mentally, I’m feeling good. I’m just thankful.”
He visited the Eagles during the draft process.
Smith, a Ft. Bend Dulles graduate, had multiple NFL meetings and attended the Texans’ local prospect day on Thursday.
He had Zoom meetings with the Eagles, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He met in-person with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at his Pro Day where he also met with the Texans.
Although injured, Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at his Pro Day with a 6.86 three-cone drill. He had the most bench press reps of any receiver at the NFL scouting combine with 21 reps of 225 pounds. Smith has some ability to play running back, at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, too.
“Just his determination for the game, how hard he works,” Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper said of Smith. “He wants to put the team in the best position possible.”
Smith played at the Senior Bowl all-star game and tested despite his shin throbbing.
“So with me being a little disappointed in my numbers, they were telling me that it was all smooth because I’m running on a broken leg,” Smith said. “It sounds smooth, but, honestly, I got good reaction from it, though, for sure. I feel like I did smooth, honestly,
“I didn’t really get the times that I had wanted. I was hearing a range from like high 4.4s-low 4.5s. Cooler day, I feel like I did pretty well in the drills, did well in doing running back and receiver. Also got some punt catches there early, so feel like I had a pretty smooth day overall.”
Smith, a former district Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year finalist, caught 53 passes for 795 yards and two touchdowns this season. He caught 180 career passes for 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushing for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He had two punt returns for touchdowns and a 10.2 career average on punt returns and 18.0 yards per kickoff return.
Smith can’t wait to play in the NFL like his older brother, Maurice Smith.
“It’s a dream come true,” Smith said. “I really just want to help our team go to the Super Bowl and help any way I can and be a leader and affect some of those older guys and really just make people’s lives better and spread love, awareness and joy.”
And his parents, Samyra Smith and Maurice Smith Sr, have supported him every step of the way.
“Man, it’s everything,” Smith said. “Honestly, I can say I have both parents on my side and to be able to stick by my side I’m thankful. It means the world to me to be blessed and have them to be able to be the support and be there for me.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.