![]() Smith with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2025 | |
No. 39 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
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Position: | Linebacker |
Personal information | |
Born: | March 1, 2002 |
Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Weight: | 227 lb (103 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) |
College: | North Texas |
CFL draft: | 2025: 2nd round, 15th pick |
Career history | |
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Roster status: | Active |
CFL status: | National |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Stats at CFL.ca |
Jaylen Smith (born March 1, 2002) is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at North Texas.
Jaylen Smith was born on March 1, 2002. [1] He left this hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, after graduating from high school. [2] [3] He then spent a postgraduate year at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut, but the season was abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2] Smith then spent another postgrad season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. [3] [2]
Smith played college football for the North Texas Mean Green of the University of North Texas from 2021 to 2024, initially joining the team as a walk-on. [3] [4] He began his college career as a defensive back. [5] Smith played in 13 games during the 2021 season, mostly on special teams, posting eight solo tackles and six assisted tackles. [3] [6] He led the team with 12 special teams tackles. [3] He played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams again, in 2022, recording seven solo tackles and eight assisted tackles. [3] [6] Smith appeared in 12 games, starting four, in 2023, totaling 16 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass breakup. [3] [6] He started all 13 games at outside linebacker as a senior in 2024, recording 44 solo tackles, 62 assisted tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. [3] [6] He led the team in tackles, earning Dave Campbell's Texas Football second-team All-Texas and third-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. [3]
Smith was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the second round, with the 15th overall pick, of the 2025 CFL draft. [7] He officially signed with the team on May 5, 2025. [7]