Arian Smith officially signs rookie NFL deal with New York Jets

Arian Smith Brings Elite Speed to New York

Before making the jump to the NFL, Smith appeared in all 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2024. He led the team with 48 receptions for 817 yards and four touchdowns. However, his production could have been even greater if not for the 10 dropped passes he recorded throughout the season.

At the NFL Combine, Smith didn’t shy away from addressing the issue, openly acknowledging the drops and admitting he faced consequences behind the scenes because of them.

“I'm a fast guy, so I'm always worried about trying to run fast with the ball. So, if I fumble in practice, (Kirby Smart) is going to make me pay, whether it's me running the gasser, whether it's me doing up-downs at the practice Ask anybody who plays on offense, if you're carrying the ball, ball security is at a premium,” Smith said, via Rivals.

“I've been through a lot of ups and downs at Georgia, and I've learned a lot, whether it's good or whether it's bad. So, when people ask me what the strength of my game is, I’d probably say my mental toughness. I'm a very tough guy when it comes to being mentally tough, whether it's me having a bad play or having a good play. I'm able to handle it.”

While ball security can be improved with practice and repetition, speed is something you can't teach.

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Smith clocked a blazing 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Though it didn’t break the overall combine record, it ranked as the third-fastest time ever recorded by a Georgia player at the event.

Smith's unmatched speed was ultimately a big reason why he became a New York Jet in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

"He has an explosive element," Jets general manager Darren Mougey said of Smith. "When you have a piece like that on offense, it allows you to do more, whether you're taking the top [off a defense] or you're taking shots, whether you're getting him on speed sweeps, quick smokes, I mean just elite speed."