SMU player looks to send strong message to NFL this season

When you’ve got the best quarterback in football, the natural instinct is to lean on him. But even Patrick Mahomes could use a little less weight on his shoulders. That’s where former SMU standout Brashard Smith enters the equation for the Kansas City Chiefs — a late-round pick with a high-ceiling opportunity in one of the NFL’s most creative offenses.

Kansas City’s run game ranked just 19th in total rushing yards last season, and General Manager Brett Veach made it clear this offseason: the backfield needs fresh juice. Smith, selected in the final round of the 2025 NFL Draft, may be exactly that.

Originally a wide receiver at Miami before transitioning to running back at SMU, Smith totaled 1,055 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in his lone season as a Mustang. His natural pass-catching skills and sharp cuts in space make him a nightmare matchup — especially when aligned out wide or motioned out of the backfield.

Field Yates of ESPN named Smith one of the top late-round rookies to watch in 2025:

“Smith switched from wide receiver at Miami to running back at SMU, which speaks to his unique versatility… he shows fantastic lateral agility and straight-line speed.”

That’s the kind of profile Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy can work magic with. Jet sweeps, angle routes, bubble screens — Smith is built for schemed touches.

And the rookie knows it.