Arian Smith

Last updated

Arian Smith
Georgia BulldogsNo. 11
Position Wide receiver
ClassSenior
Major Housing Management & Policy
Personal information
Born: (2001-10-11) October 11, 2001 (age 23) [1]
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career history
College
High school Mulberry High School (2016–2018)
Lakeland High School (2019)
Career highlights and awards

Arian Ryshaun Smith (born October 11, 2001) [1] is an American football wide receiver who plays for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith has won two national championships with Georgia.

Contents

Early years

Smith first attended Mulberry High School in Mulberry, Florida, where he played football and track and field. In 2018, Smith set the farthest long jump in the country, jumping 25–03.25. [2] While playing for Mulberry, Smith played running back, quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back for the football team. [3] Before his senior year of high school, Smith transferred to Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida, continuing to play football and track and field. [4] Smith primarily played wide receiver for Lakeland and was selected to participate in the 2020 Under Armour All-American game. [5] Ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN, Smith received offers from many colleges, [6] ultimately committing to play college football for the University of Georgia over Alabama. [7]

College career

Track and field

Smith initially continued to play both football and track and field for Georgia. In 2021, Arian was named a first-team All-American for track and field, also qualifying for the SEC Championship for his time in the 100-meter dash. [8] In 2023, Smith announced he would continue solely on his football career and no longer compete in track and field. [9] [10]

American football

Smith redshirted his freshman year and played in the last four games of the 2020 season. His first catch was a 31-yard touchdown against South Carolina. [11] The following year, Smith only played in four of fifteen games this season due to various injuries. [12] [13] [14] He caught a 35-yard pass against Missouri and a 67-yard pass against UAB, both for touchdowns. [15] In 2022, Smith again missed time due to injuries, missing the season's first four games recovering from surgery for a high ankle sprain received in practice. [16] In the Peach Bowl, Smith had a season-high 129 receiving yards in the game, including a career-long 76-yard catch for a touchdown in a win against Ohio State. [17] Smith played in all fourteen games the following season, scoring a touchdown against UAB and one against Florida State in the 2023 Orange Bowl. Using a granted extra year of eligibility, Smith returned to play for Georgia in 2024. [18] [19] In week 2, Smith caught a 50-yard pass for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech. [20] In week five, Smith had 132 yards and a touchdown in a loss against Alabama. [21] In week 7, Smith had a career-high 134 yards, including a 55 yard touchdown, in a win against Mississippi State. [22]

College statistics
SeasonGPReceivingRushing
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTD
2020 428643.01100.00
2021 4310234.0211515.00
2022 11719828.31000.00
2023 14815319.1213333.00
2024 124775016.0444110.30
Career 46411,28919.21078011.40

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortez Hankton</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Cortez Hankton is an American college football coach and former player who is the wide receivers coach for the LSU Tigers. He played professionally as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Hankton played collegiately for the Texas Southern Tigers. He was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game. The Vols capped off the season by defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the Outback Bowl to finish with a record of 10–4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah McKenzie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Isaiah McKenzie is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia, and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D'Andre Swift</span> American football player (born 1999)

D'Andre Tiyon Swift is an American professional football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Detroit Lions with the third pick of the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. In 2023, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he earned his first Pro Bowl selection before signing with the Bears in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Jeudy</span> American football player (born 1999)

Jerry Davarus Jeudy is an American professional football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the season’s outstanding college football receiver as a sophomore in 2018, and was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 15th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.

Riley Ridley is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mecole Hardman</span> American football player (born 1998)

Carey Mecole Hardman Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has won Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII with the Chiefs. In Super Bowl LVIII, Hardman scored the game-winning walk-off touchdown in overtime. Hardman has also briefly played for the New York Jets.

Jaylen Waddle is an American professional football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected sixth overall by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeVonta Smith</span> American football player (born 1998)

DeVonta Smith is an American professional football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he recorded over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Pickens</span> American football player (born 2001)

George Malik Pickens Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rhys Plumlee</span> American football and baseball player (born 2001)

John Rhys Plumlee is an American professional football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and the UCF Knights as well as playing center fielder for both of their college baseball teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zamir White</span> American football player (born 1999)

Zamir Alexza White, nicknamed "Zeus", is an American professional football running back for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stetson Bennett</span> American football player (born 1997)

Stetson Fleming Bennett IV is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Jones College Bobcats and Georgia Bulldogs. Nicknamed "the Mailman", he started his career as a walk-on at Georgia before transferring to Jones College. Bennett transferred back to Georgia where he won consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022, joining A. J. McCarron and Tommie Frazier as the only quarterbacks to win consecutive NCAA national championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jameson Williams</span> American football player (born 2001)

Jameson Demetri Williams, nicknamed "Jamo", is an American professional football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State before transferring to Alabama in 2021, where he was named an All-American. Williams was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Kearis Jamarcus Jackson is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quay Walker</span> American football player (born 2000)

JaQuavian Jy'Quese "Quay" Walker is an American professional football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Jermaine Demetrius Burton is an American professional football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and Alabama, winning the 2021 national championship with the former.

Dillon Lee Bell is an American football wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Keon Malik Zipperer is an American college football tight end for the Florida Gators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Meeks</span> American football player

Jackson Malachi Meeks is an American football wide receiver for the Syracuse Orange. He previously played for the Georgia Bulldogs.

References

  1. 1 2 "Arian Smith". worldathletics.org. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  2. Fuoco, Roy (April 18, 2018). "One Giant Step". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. Nee, Chris (July 31, 2018). "2020 athlete Arian Smith returns to FSU for another visit". 247 Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  4. Fuoco, Roy (February 13, 2020). "Lakeland's sprinters among big stories to follow in track in 2020". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  5. Fuoco, Roy (November 13, 2019). "Lakeland football standouts Bowman, Smith get Under Armour game jerseys". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  6. Fuoco, Roy (August 12, 2019). "SUPER 16: Arian Smith's speed garners multiple college offers". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  7. Lyons, Dan (December 18, 2019). "4-Star WR Commits To Georgia Over Alabama". The Spun. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  8. Reno, Harrison (June 19, 2021). "Blue Prints for Success: Arian Smith". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  9. "Watch: Arian Smith putting track aside to focus on football". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  10. Morrison, Dan (March 30, 2023). "Arian Smith thinks he'll focus on football over track". On3. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  11. Morgan, James (November 28, 2020). "Watch: Georgia WR Arian Smith burns defense for first career TD". UGA Wire. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  12. Vitale, Joe (August 23, 2021). "WR Arian Smith playing through minor injuries". UGA Wire. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  13. Hubbard, Drew (November 11, 2021). "Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith breaks leg, potentially out for remainder of season". The Red and Black. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  14. Weiszer, Mark (April 20, 2022). "Speedy Arian Smith brings vertical threat. Now he aims to find a way to stay on the field". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  15. Crowell, Evan (August 10, 2022). "Arian Smith Drawing Rave Reviews". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  16. Spencer, Sarah (August 13, 2022). "Georgia's Arian Smith to undergo ankle surgery; more injury updates from Kirby Smart". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  17. Riley, Connor (January 1, 2023). "Arian Smith sums up his game-changing touchdown in the most Georgia football way possible". Dawg Nation. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  18. Towers, Chip (August 2, 2024). "Arian Smith ready for another run with Georgia Bulldogs". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  19. Weiszer, Mark (August 13, 2024). "Entering his fifth Georgia football season, wide receiver Arian Smith 'still hungry'". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  20. Kramer, Kelsey (September 7, 2024). "Georgia Bulldogs' Arian Smith reveals what has changed mentally for him this year". A to Z Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  21. Warden, Owen (September 28, 2024). "3 takeaways, Georgia falls to Alabama 41-34". 13 WMAZ. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  22. McDaniel, Owen (October 12, 2024). "Smith has career day in Georgia win". The Red and Black. Retrieved October 13, 2024.