Stone Smartt Bio
Stone Cole Smartt (born October 4, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs after earlier stops at Northern Arizona University and Riverside City College. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 227 pounds, Smartt has reshaped his game several times, transitioning from high school quarterback to college wide receiver and finally to a pass-catching tight end at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Stone Cole Smartt was born on October 4, 1998, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in nearby Loomis and attended Del Oro High School, where he quickly became one of the most versatile athletes in the region. Smartt was a multi-sport standout, starring in both football and basketball during his time at Del Oro.
On the football field, Smartt played quarterback for the Golden Eagles and posted impressive numbers, throwing for 3,021 yards and 29 touchdowns during his high school career. In the 2015-16 season, he led Del Oro to a California Division II-AA State Championship, defeating Camarillo 16-13. The following year, he guided the team to a Division 1-A state championship game against San Clemente. Off the field, Smartt was also a starting point guard for the Del Oro boys basketball team, showcasing the athleticism and court vision that would later help him adjust to new positions in football.
Path to Professional Football
Coming out of high school in 2017, Smartt committed to Northern Arizona University to play college football. As a true freshman with the Lumberjacks in 2017, he saw action in just two games and decided to explore other options to find more playing time.
In 2018, Smartt transferred to Riverside City College, a powerhouse junior college program in Southern California. The move proved transformative. Playing quarterback for the Tigers, he appeared in 12 games and completed 177 of 277 passes for 2,754 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 583 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground. He led all California JUCO quarterbacks in passing efficiency and earned First-Team JUCO All-American honors along with the NJCAA Athletic Bureau Offensive Player of the Year award. Smartt also broke Riverside City school records for completions, completion percentage, single-season and career passing yards, and touchdown passes in a quarter.
Following his dominant junior college season, Smartt transferred to Old Dominion University in 2019 to play at the NCAA Division I level. During his time with the Monarchs, he made another positional switch, moving from quarterback to wide receiver in 2021. His ability to adapt quickly to a new role helped him earn a look from NFL scouts as a pass-catching prospect.
Stone Smartt Career
Early Career (2022-2024)
Stone Cole Smartt went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but quickly found a professional home when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers saw potential in the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher and converted him into a tight end, adding him to a position group where his basketball background, route-running skills, and catch radius could be put to use. In his three seasons with the Chargers, Smartt served primarily as a third-string tight end and core special teams contributor.
Though his offensive role was limited in Los Angeles, Smartt continued to develop his blocking and in-line tight end skills, which were areas he had not focused on during his quarterback and wide receiver days. By the end of his time with the Chargers in 2024, he had established himself as a reliable depth piece and a standout on special teams coverage units.
New York Jets Era (2025-Present)
On March 17, 2025, Stone Cole Smartt signed with the New York Jets, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The Jets, who were looking to add athletic depth at the tight end position, saw Smartt as a fit for their offensive scheme and special teams units. His size, speed, and versatility made him an intriguing addition to the roster.
Since joining the Jets, Smartt has continued to work on carving out a larger role on offense while remaining a key contributor on special teams. The combination of his basketball background and football experience gives him a unique athletic profile, and the Jets are counting on him to be a reliable, multi-phase player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stone Cole Smartt brings a rare combination of athleticism, length, and football intelligence to the tight end position. His background as a quarterback and wide receiver has given him an advanced understanding of route concepts, coverages, and timing. At 6 feet 4 inches, he presents a sizable catch radius for quarterbacks, while his basketball-honed footwork and body control allow him to separate from defensive backs. Smartt has also embraced the physical, blocking aspects of the tight end position, growing into a more complete player with each season.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Stone Cole Smartt’s career came in 2018 at Riverside City College, when he put together one of the most prolific individual seasons in California junior college history, earning NJCAA First-Team All-American honors. At the professional level, his signing with the New York Jets in March 2025 marked another milestone, representing his first opportunity with a new franchise after spending his first three NFL seasons developing with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Stone Smartt Career Wins
Stone Cole Smartt’s career is highlighted by consistent development and a series of team and individual accomplishments at every level of football. From leading Del Oro High School to a state championship in 2015-16 to earning national recognition at Riverside City College in 2018, Smartt has built a résumé defined by winning, adaptation, and steady improvement.
High School and College Highlights
Smartt led Del Oro High School to the 2015-16 California Division II-AA State Championship and later guided the program to a Division 1-A state championship game in 2016-17. At Riverside City College in 2018, he was named First-Team JUCO All-American, SoCal Regional Playoff MVP, SCFA Offensive Player of the Year, California State Offensive Player of the Year, and the NJCAA Athletic Bureau Offensive Player of the Year.
Other Wins and Performances
Smartt earned First-Team JUCO All-American recognition in 2018, one of the most prestigious honors a junior college football player can receive. His record-setting single season at Riverside City College remains one of the most decorated individual campaigns in program history.
Stone Smartt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stone Cole Smartt is of Taiwanese descent through his grandmother, who was born in Taiwan. This multicultural background has shaped his family identity and given him a diverse cultural perspective that he has carried with him throughout his athletic journey.
Personal Life
Off the field, Stone Cole Smartt is known for his work ethic and team-first mentality. He continues to share parts of his professional journey with fans through his social media presence, where he is active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
2025 Season Performance
Stone Cole Smartt’s 2025 season with the New York Jets represents a fresh start and an opportunity to expand his role within a new offensive system. After signing with the team in March 2025, Smartt entered training camp focused on building chemistry with the Jets quarterbacks and refining his technique as an in-line tight end. His prior experience in the Chargers’ system prepared him well for the demands of an NFL season, and the Jets’ coaching staff has praised his professionalism and special teams reliability.
Throughout the early part of the 2025 campaign, Smartt has continued to serve as a valuable depth piece at tight end while also contributing on special teams units. His versatility allows the Jets to deploy him in a variety of roles, from traditional tight end alignments to detached wide receiver-type positions. The combination of his size, route-running polish, and football IQ gives the Jets’ offense flexibility in situational football.
Looking ahead, Smartt’s 2025 outlook centers on continued development and earning an expanded role in the Jets’ offense. With his athletic upside and the trust of his coaching staff, he has a clear path to becoming a more prominent piece of the team’s game plan. The Jets and their fans will be watching closely to see how Smartt’s unique skill set translates over the course of a full NFL season in 2025.