Philadelphia Eagles select Ainias Smith in the fifth round, 152nd overall

On Saturday, Ainias Smith became the highest-selected Texas A&M receiver in six years when he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Previously, Christian Kirk was A&M’s most recently drafted receiver. He was a second round selection in 2018.

In his A&M career, Smith accumulated 180 receptions, 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also averaged 10.2 yards on 82 punt returns. Smith returned punts for touchdowns against South Carolina in 2021 and against Arkansas this season.

Smith caught 16 passes for 190 yards in his freshman season. However, depth issues resulted in his moving to running back for the Texas Bowl. He rushed for 54 yards on seven carries in a 24-21 victory over Oklahoma State.

As a sophomore, he opened the 2020 season as the Aggies’ starting running back. He rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown in a 17-12 victory over Vanderbilt.

However, Isaiah Spiller rushed for 117 yards in that game. That enabled Smith to shift back to receiver.

As a full-time receiver, he caught 43 passes for 564 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. The next season, he had 47 catches for 509 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season, he had only 15 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns before the injury against Arkansas.

However, he came back this season to catch 53 passes for 795 yards and two touchdowns.