Xavier Smith Bio
Xavier Smith (born September 21, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida A&M Rattlers and entered the NFL in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 175 pounds, Smith has carved out a professional role as a smaller, versatile playmaker in the passing game and on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Xavier Smith was born on September 21, 1997, in Haines City, Florida. He grew up in central Florida and attended Ridge Community High School before transferring to Haines City High School, where he lined up at running back. Coming from a small town and without major recruiting attention, he entered his final high school years as an undersized prospect whose statistical profile did not draw college offers.
At Haines City High School, Smith stood 5 feet 9 inches and weighed about 155 pounds, and he went through his senior year without a single college football offer. Determined to keep his playing career alive, he put together his own highlight film and reached out to more than 100 college coaches, but none offered a scholarship. After graduating, he briefly stepped away from football and spent 2016 working for Amazon while reassessing his future in the sport.
Path to American Football
Smith’s return to football came in 2017, when he applied to Florida A&M University at the suggestion of his mother, a former Florida A&M student. After being accepted, he tried out for the Florida A&M Rattlers as a walk-on and earned a roster spot. His brother, Kareem, had previously played for the Rattlers, and Xavier wore the same jersey number 19 that his brother had worn, continuing a family connection to the program.
Smith redshirted as a true freshman in 2017, spending the year on the scout team while transitioning from running back to wide receiver. In 2018, he broke out with 52 receptions for 727 yards, leading the team in both categories and earning second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) recognition. That performance marked the beginning of his rise as one of the most productive pass-catchers in the HBCU ranks.
Xavier Smith Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
In 2018, Smith’s first full season of action at Florida A&M, he set the tone for his college career by leading the Rattlers in receptions and receiving yards while earning All-MEAC second-team honors. The following year, in 2019, he became a national standout with 77 catches for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns. He finished fifth in the country in receiving yards per game, ninth in receptions per game, 10th in receiving yards, and 16th in touchdown catches, while collecting first-team All-MEAC, BoxToRow All-American, second-team American Football Coaches Association All-American, and HERO Sports sophomore All-American honors. The 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting short what had been a record-setting trajectory.
After the canceled 2020 campaign, Smith returned to the Rattlers in 2021 and led the team in receiving with 64 catches for 713 yards and three touchdowns, placing sixth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). His consistency across multiple seasons and his standing as a team leader in catches and yards established him as a dependable target and a respected presence in the Florida A&M locker room.
HBCU Stardom (2021–2022)
As a senior in 2022, Smith delivered his most complete college season, catching 87 passes for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named an HBCU All-American and All-SWAC selection, and he led the conference in receiving. He closed his college career with 44 games played and 193 catches for 2,599 yards, leaving Florida A&M as one of the most productive receivers in program history.
Following the 2022 season, Smith was invited to the HBCU Legacy Bowl all-star game, where he caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown and was named offensive MVP. His performance in that showcase game helped build momentum toward his transition to the professional level and gave NFL scouts a closer look at his route running and playmaking ability.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2023–Present)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at final roster cuts and then re-signed to the practice squad, where he spent his entire first professional season developing his game. On January 16, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams, securing his place in the organization’s plans.
Smith was waived by the Rams on August 27, 2024, and was re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on September 21, 2024, his 27th birthday, and made his NFL debut the following day in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. With under a minute left and the game tied, his 38-yard punt return to midfield set up the Rams’ game-winning field goal, an immediate signature moment in his young pro career. He was signed to the active roster on October 17, 2024, cementing his role in Los Angeles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although listed as a wide receiver, Smith’s path to the NFL has leaned heavily on his work as a return specialist, where his quickness, vision, and low center of gravity help him thrive despite his smaller frame. His 38-yard punt return against the 49ers showed the kind of field-flipping impact he can provide on special teams, and his development under the Rams’ coaching staff continues to refine his route running and ability to create separation in space.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most memorable early NFL moment came in his debut against San Francisco, when his late-game 38-yard punt return set up the Rams’ walk-off field goal. He has also earned a string of postseason recognitions, including HBCU Legacy Bowl offensive MVP honors and multiple All-MEAC and All-SWAC selections, highlighting his consistent production across college and the start of his pro career.
Xavier Smith Career Wins
Smith’s career win total reflects his college production and early NFL contributions rather than a long professional track record. At Florida A&M, he led the Rattlers in receptions and receiving yards in three separate seasons, and he capped his senior year by leading the SWAC in receiving. In the NFL, his first major victory came in his debut game against the 49ers, when his punt return helped secure a game-winning field goal for the Rams.
HBCU Highlights
During his time with the Florida A&M Rattlers, Smith totaled 193 receptions for 2,599 yards across 44 games, establishing himself as one of the program’s all-time leading receivers. His first major college win came in 2018, when he broke out with 52 receptions for 727 yards and second-team All-MEAC honors, while his final college win arrived at the HBCU Legacy Bowl, where he was named offensive MVP after catching six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Other Wins & Performances
Smith’s senior season in 2022 stands as his most decorated college campaign, producing 87 catches for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns along with HBCU All-American and All-SWAC recognition. His 38-yard punt return against the 49ers in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season remains his signature professional performance, a play that helped deliver an early career win for both him and the Los Angeles Rams.
Xavier Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smith’s connection to Florida A&M runs through his family. His mother attended Florida A&M University, and his brother, Kareem, previously played for the Rattlers football team. Xavier wore the same jersey number 19 at Florida A&M that his brother had worn, carrying forward a family tradition within the program.
Personal Life
Smith was raised in Haines City, Florida, where he attended Haines City High School before launching his football career. His mother’s suggestion to apply to Florida A&M played a key role in his return to the sport, and he has continued to build his professional life around football and his ties to the central Florida community.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Xavier Smith is expected to compete for a depth role on the Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver group and to remain a core special teams contributor. His 2024 debut showed the value he can bring as a punt returner, and the Rams’ decision to sign him to the active roster in October of that year pointed to continued trust in his development. With another offseason in the team’s system, he is positioned to push for expanded opportunities in the receiver rotation.
Key storylines to watch in 2025 include his chemistry with the Rams’ quarterbacks and coaching staff, his growth as a route runner, and his consistency in the return game. If he can build on the late-season momentum of his rookie year and stay healthy, he has a realistic path to carving out a multi-year role in Los Angeles. His journey from undrafted free agent to active-roster contributor already stands as one of the more compelling stories in the Rams’ recent draft class.