Ainias Smith reveals how preseason injury helped him improve his game

Injuries are never ideal, especially to the hand. But that didn’t stop Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith from finding ways to improve his game. Of course, he was still a regular practice attendee, but frustratingly for him, could not participate.

However, the right hand injury he dealt with actually wound up helping him as a pass-catcher. According to Smith, with all the spare time at practice, he and some trainers would work on catching the ball with his left hand. Where he says he improved immensely with that hand and overall. Take it from him:

“Yeah at first it was quite a struggle not being able to practice with those guys. Especially, you know, my injury and whatnot. But I was making sure I was still getting it in. I was on the sideline when I wasn’t practicing catching with one hand, because the coaches weren’t allowing me to use the other one along with the trainers. So definitely got a whole lot better at my right hand and now I’ve just been catching a whole lot of balls with my left hand only. And that really strengthened my eyes to a way to where I focus on the ball a whole lot more. And so it just got me better.”

Finding positives in unfortunate luck. Smith has become a more ambidextrous pass catcher while improving the focus within his vision. Now, he’s ready to tear Kyle Field apart this season.

Ainias Smith ready to set the tone in Texas A&M season opener

Smith spoke about the Aggies upcoming opener in a press conference Monday. He said the first game is all about setting the tone and that he wants to see Texas A&M take it as seriously as if this game were for a national title.

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“The first game of the season is always gonna set the tone for the rest of the season. This game here is a big one just like any other game,” said Smith. “We’re definitely gonna take this game just like we’re playing the national championship.”

The first challenge for Smith and his teammates in College Station on their way to that goal will be the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Even so, it doesn’t matter that they’re an FCS team. Smith says the opener matters just as much in their run at the postseason overall as the final game of the year.

“Along with every other game, there’s not going to be a play where we can take off and make sure that we’re doing everything right. (We’re) really just trying to be great.”