Georgia's Arian Smith continues to boost 2025 NFL draft stock following back-to-back solid performances at Reese's Bowl and Combine
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith has consistently turned heads throughout the pre-NFL Draft process. At the Reese's Senior Bowl in early February, Smith had a "nasty" touchdown catch of the day against Western Kentucky's Upton Stout on Day 2 of practices. That catch by Smith followed up his Day 1 performance of "crisp" footwork, […]
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith has consistently turned heads throughout the pre-NFL Draft process.
At the Reese's Senior Bowl in early February, Smith had a "nasty" touchdown catch of the day against Western Kentucky's Upton Stout on Day 2 of practices.
That catch by Smith followed up his Day 1 performance of "crisp" footwork, which also caught plenty of attention from evaluators.
Smith played in all 14 games, making nine starts for the Bulldogs in 2024, and finished reeling in 48 catches for a team-high 817 yards and four touchdowns.
His numbers could have been much higher if it weren't for the 10 dropped passes he had throughout the year that have been discussed non-stop as he prepares for the draft.
Smith wasn't shy talking about the elephant in the room at the combine and acknowledged that he did pay for those dropped balls behind the scenes.
“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.”
Smith may have put some of those doubts to rest after he flawlessly executed a drill at the combine where he caught every single pass.
He also clocked a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which is the third-fatest time for a Georgia player in NFL combine history.
Before running the 40, Smith noted clocking a fast wasn't what he was aiming for at the combine.
"My number one goal is, you know, show what I've been doing, show that I can catch the ball, show my character and just show these teams that I'm good enough to be on their team,” Smith said. “I'm competing. You know, competing against myself. If you do that and don’t worry about anything else, take care of yourself. I'm not always a speed guy, that I'm a guy that can play wide receiver. I can slow down. I can speed up and I can catch the ball."
According to The Draft Network's scouting report on Smith, he is currently slated to be a Day 3 pick, though other scouting reports project he signs somewhere as a UDFA.
Smith will have another chance to prove himself in front of NFL coaches and scouts at Georgia's Pro Day on March 12.
