Aggies WR Ainias Smith Named To Tyler Rose Preseason Watch List

Ainias Smith will be entering his fifth season with the program after missing the final eight games of 2022.

Fans of Texas A&M will be keeping an eye on senior receiver Ainias Smith as he looks to make headlines in 2023. 

Those in College Station aren't the only ones keeping tabs on the pass-catchers success for the revamped offense this fall. 

Smith was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List, SPORTyler and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Selection Committee, announced Thursday. The award is given annually to the top offensive college football player born in Texas.

Smith, a native of Missouri City, enters his fifth season at A&M to serve as the program's most experienced receiver. Since arriving from Dulles High School in 2019, he has been one of the top playmakers at various positions for Jimbo Fisher's offense. 

Entering the 2022 season, Smith was considered one of the top receiving prospects in the impending draft, but a leg injury limited him to four games. He finished the year with 15 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns. 

The year prior, Smith posted a career-best 47 catches for 509 yards and six scores. Serving as A&M's primary punt returner, he registered 259 yards on 23 returns, including a 95-yard touchdown return against South Carolina. 

In four years with the program, Smith has totaled 2,804 all-purpose yards and has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games, dating back to the 2019 LSU game. He's also recorded 127 catches for 1,612 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns while also rushing for four scores on 67 carries. 

This offseason, Smith garnered preseason All-SEC accolades, earning being named first-team all-purpose player, second-team return specialist and third-team wide receiver recognition. Most recently, Smith was named the No. 67 player on ESPN's top 100 list for the 2023 season. 

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. 

A&M kicks off the season on Sept. 2 against New Mexico at Kyle Field.

---

Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggies Daily Blitz Podcast!

Hey 12th Man! Want to see the Aggies in action? Get your Texas A&M game tickets from SI Tickets here!

Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Aggies? Click Here to Subscribe to the All Aggies Newsletter

Want even more Texas A&M Aggies News? Check out the SI.com team page here