Maason Smith Bio
Maason Smith is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 305 pounds, Smith plays on the interior of the defensive line and was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the LSU Tigers, where he earned Freshman All-SEC recognition in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Maason Smith was born on October 13, 2002, in Houma, Louisiana. He grew up in the Houma area and attended Terrebonne High School, where he quickly developed into one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in his recruiting class. The football culture of South Louisiana gave him early exposure to the sport, and he became a focal point of the Terrebonne defense throughout his high school career.
During his senior season at Terrebonne High School, Smith recorded more than 40 tackles and nine sacks, establishing himself as one of the top rated recruits in the 2021 class. His performance earned him a spot on the All-American Bowl roster, a showcase that features the most highly regarded high school players in the country. Rated as the highest recruit in Louisiana, Smith drew scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including the Miami Hurricanes, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Path to American Football
Smith chose to remain in his home state and play college football at Louisiana State University, joining a Tigers program with a strong tradition of producing NFL defensive linemen. His decision to stay in Louisiana reflected both his loyalty to the state and his belief in LSU’s developmental system. The move gave him a chance to compete in the Southeastern Conference, widely regarded as the most physical conference in college football.
At LSU, Smith became the first player in school history to wear jersey number zero, a milestone that reflected both his status as a top recruit and the new uniform rules adopted by college football. He quickly adjusted to the college level, contributing as a rotational defensive tackle during his freshman year while continuing to develop his technique and strength. His path from a heavily recruited Louisiana high school prospect to a record-setting LSU freshman laid the groundwork for his later professional career.
Maason Smith Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Smith’s college career at LSU began in 2021, when he made an immediate impact as a freshman defensive tackle. He tallied 19 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss during the season, including three sacks in a single game against McNeese State. His strong opening campaign was recognized with selections to both the All-SEC Freshman Team and the Freshman All-America Team, marking him as one of the top young defensive linemen in the country.
His second season was cut short by a leg injury that limited him for part of the year, but Smith returned the following season to post 27 tackles and four and a half sacks across 2023. After the conclusion of that season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and began preparing for the next stage of his football career. His combination of size, length, and SEC experience made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams seeking interior defensive line help.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024–Present)
Maason Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, becoming an early addition to the team’s defensive line rotation. Being chosen in the second round reflected his status as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in his draft class. He signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars and joined the team’s defensive front as a developmental pass rusher and run defender.
As a rookie, Smith worked within the Jaguars’ defensive scheme, learning from veteran defensive linemen and adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His transition from the SEC to the NFL positioned him as a long-term piece of Jacksonville’s defensive plans, with the organization viewing his combination of size and athleticism as a foundation for future growth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith’s game is built on his combination of size, length, and quickness off the snap, which allows him to disrupt both the run and the pass from the interior of the defensive line. He uses his 6-foot-5 frame to leverage opposing offensive linemen, and his ability to play with leverage despite his height has been a focus of his development. Coaches have praised his motor and willingness to pursue plays away from his initial assignment, traits that fit well within modern defensive line schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Smith’s career came at LSU, where he became the first player in school history to wear jersey number zero, a symbolic moment that highlighted his status as a generational recruit. He was also named to the Freshman All-America Team in 2021, and in 2024 he heard his name called in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Each of these moments marked a clear step forward in his progression from a top high school recruit to an NFL defensive tackle.
Maason Smith Career Wins
As a defensive tackle, Maason Smith’s on-field impact is measured through pressures, sacks, and run-stopping contributions rather than victories alone. During his time at LSU, he helped the Tigers compete at a high level in the Southeastern Conference, recording four sacks as a freshman and four and a half sacks in his final college season. His selection in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft also stands as a personal milestone, reflecting the production and potential he showed across his college career.
LSU Highlights
Smith’s most productive college season statistically came in 2023, when he totaled 27 tackles and four and a half sacks after returning from injury. His freshman year at LSU in 2021 produced 19 tackles and four sacks, including a three-sack performance against McNeese State. Across his LSU career, he also earned Freshman All-SEC recognition, a distinction that confirmed his status among the top young defensive linemen in the conference.
Maason Smith Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Smith grew up in Houma, Louisiana, a community known for producing competitive football talent at the high school level. He attended Terrebonne High School, where he played his way into the top ranks of national recruiting rankings as one of the most highly regarded defensive linemen in the 2021 class.
Personal Life
Maason Smith was born on October 13, 2002, in Houma, Louisiana, and he maintains ties to his home state through his connection to LSU and the Terrebonne High School community. Public details about his personal life, including information about a spouse or children, are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Maason Smith enters his second year with the Jacksonville Jaguars after a rookie campaign spent adjusting to the professional level. The Jaguars invested a second-round pick in him in 2024, and the 2025 season represents an opportunity for him to take on a larger role along the team’s defensive front. His development will be closely watched as Jacksonville continues to build its defensive identity.
Smith’s progress during the 2025 offseason will likely focus on adding strength, refining his pass-rush technique, and earning more consistent playing time within the defensive line rotation. With another year of NFL training behind him, he is expected to compete for a starting role or a featured rotational spot on passing downs. The Jaguars’ coaching staff has emphasized interior disruption as a priority, and Smith’s skill set aligns with that plan.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season offers Smith a chance to translate the promise he showed at LSU into measurable NFL production. If he can stay healthy and build on his rookie experience, he has the tools to become a long-term contributor on Jacksonville’s defensive line. His combination of size, athleticism, and SEC background gives him a foundation to grow into a reliable presence in the trenches.