Jabari Small Bio
Jabari Mikal Small (born January 31, 2002) is an American professional football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before joining the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and later signing with the Detroit Lions in 2025. Small has built his career through steady production in the Southeastern Conference and has continued to work toward a stable role at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Jabari Mikal Small was born on January 31, 2002, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in a family with deep ties to college football, which helped shape his early interest in the sport. Small attended Briarcrest Christian School, where he developed into a multi-purpose offensive player and a three-star recruit.
During his sophomore season at Briarcrest, Small recorded 22 receptions for 266 yards and three touchdowns, showing his versatility as a pass catcher out of the backfield. In his junior year, he shifted toward a featured rushing role and gained 1,118 yards with 12 touchdowns. In his senior season, Small scored four touchdowns in a playoff quarterfinal against Ensworth High School, although Briarcrest ultimately fell short in that game.
Coming out of high school, Small was rated the 12th-best all-purpose back and the 22nd-best recruit in the state of Tennessee. He initially committed to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels but later de-committed and flipped his pledge to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Path to American Football
Small’s path to professional football began in the Southeastern Conference, where he joined the Tennessee Volunteers after a late high school recruitment process. The Volunteers gave him an opportunity to compete for carries in a competitive backfield and to develop his pass-catching skills. His freshman season in 2020 served as an introduction to college football, as he carried the ball 26 times for 117 yards and added four receptions for 24 yards.
By his sophomore season in 2021, Small had grown into a larger role, rushing for 792 yards and nine touchdowns on 141 carries. His production earned him a featured spot in the Tennessee offense heading into 2022, despite an early arm injury that briefly interrupted his third season.
After his junior season, Small declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and opted out of the Volunteers’ bowl game against Iowa. Although he went undrafted, his college production and SEC experience positioned him for a professional opportunity.
Jabari Small Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Jabari Mikal Small spent four seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers from 2020 through 2023, gradually increasing his workload each year. After a limited freshman campaign, he broke out as a sophomore in 2021 with 792 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His development continued into 2022, when he ran for 734 yards and 13 touchdowns on 157 carries while also contributing 12 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
In his senior season of 2023, Small served as a veteran presence in the Tennessee backfield. He rushed 95 times for 475 yards and two touchdowns and added seven receptions for 40 yards. Following the season, Small declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–2025)
Small signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career in his home state. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and later re-signed to the practice squad. On January 6, 2025, Small signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee, securing his place on the offseason roster.
On May 14, 2025, Small was waived by the Titans, ending his initial stint with the team that originally signed him. His time in Tennessee included practice-squad work and a brief opportunity to compete for a roster spot at running back.
Detroit Lions Era (2025–Present)
On July 18, 2025, Small signed with the Detroit Lions, joining a competitive backfield in search of depth and special-teams contributions. He was waived on August 10 but returned to the organization when he was re-signed to the practice squad on December 1, 2025.
Small’s stint with the Lions has been marked by perseverance, as he has moved between the active roster and the practice squad while continuing to develop his professional profile.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jabari Mikal Small is listed at 5 feet 9 inches tall and approximately 200 pounds, giving him a compact build suited for a between-the-tackles runner. Throughout his college career, he demonstrated balanced production as both a rusher and a receiver out of the backfield. His experience in the SEC has prepared him for the physical demands of the professional game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Small’s signature college moment came during the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Tennessee, when he posted back-to-back 700-yard rushing campaigns with a combined 22 touchdowns. His senior-year playoff performance at Briarcrest, where he scored four touchdowns in a single quarterfinal game, also stands out as a high school milestone.
Jabari Small Career Wins
Jabari Mikal Small’s career win totals reflect his roles as a complementary player rather than a featured workhorse. His production has come primarily through consistent contributions in the run game and passing attack rather than headline-grabbing award seasons.
Tennessee Volunteers Highlights
During his four seasons at Tennessee, Small helped the Volunteers compete in the SEC East. His 2021 and 2022 seasons were his most productive, with rushing totals of 792 and 734 yards, respectively, and a combined 22 rushing touchdowns across those two years. Small also added receiving production, including 12 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
At the high school level, Small helped Briarcrest Christian School reach the Tennessee playoff quarterfinals during his senior season, where he scored four touchdowns. His transition from an Ole Miss commitment to Tennessee is another key moment in his football journey.
Jabari Small Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in Jabari Mikal Small’s family. His father, Eddie Small, played wide receiver for the Ole Miss Rebels, while his uncles Tony and O.J. were both All-SEC wide receivers for the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators, respectively. This lineage of Southeastern Conference skill-position players helped shape Small’s path into the sport.
Personal Life
Jabari Mikal Small was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and continues to be identified with his Tennessee roots. Details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jabari Mikal Small’s 2025 season has involved movement between NFL organizations as he continues to pursue a stable roster spot. After being waived by the Tennessee Titans on May 14, 2025, he signed with the Detroit Lions on July 18, 2025, in search of a fresh opportunity.
Small was waived by the Lions on August 10 but was re-signed to the practice squad on December 1, 2025, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his development. His role on the practice squad offers a pathway back to the active roster as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Small’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on consistency, special-teams play, and readiness to step into an active roster role when called upon. His SEC background and pass-catching versatility give him a clear professional profile.