PFF: Ainias Smith candidate for most versatile player award

Third-year Texas A&M running back/wide receiver Ainias Smith was named to PFF’s preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. PFF’s Anthony Treash highlighted why Smith is on the list.

“Smith flashed a lot of promise at wide receiver and in the return game during his 2019 true freshman campaign, but Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher knew he could be even more versatile,” wrote Treash.

In 2020, Smith burst on the scene as one of the most versatile players in the country. In total, he amassed 857 yards from scrimmage and ten touchdowns on 92 touches.

Treash cited some additional stats to show how impressive Smith’s 2020 campaign was.

“On 49 carries, he broke 16 tackles and racked up 10 explosive runs of 10-plus yards,” Treash wrote. “As a receiver, he averaged 7.0 yards after the catch and broke 12 tackles on 43 receptions en route to a 73.1 receiving grade.”

Ainias Smith didn’t have nearly the impact he had as a freshman in the return game last season. In 2020, he had 15 punt returns for 75 yards, but Treash wrote that he believes it’s “very likely” the shifty weapon can get back to the level he was at in 2019, when he posted a top-10 punt return grade.

Texas A&M projects to have an explosive run game between Smith, second-year running back Devon Achane and third-year running back Isaiah Spiller.

The Aggies are unproven at quarterback and outside receiver heading into the 2021 season, which could bode well for the number of touches that the Spiller, Smith and Achane will have to split. Smith’s versatility specifically could be leaned upon.

Earlier this week, it was announced Smith would be signing with Wasserman for NIL representation

LET’S GO, @ainias_smith! 😤

Welcome to the NIL #TeamWass family! pic.twitter.com/VTy93kFXn4

— WassermanNFL (@WassermanNFL) August 2, 2021

Coming out of high school, Ainias Smith was a three-star prospect from Fort Bend Dulles in Sugar Land, TX. He was named the District 20-6A Overall MVP as a senior. He signed to Texas A&M over Duke, Georgia and Houston, among others.