Jaryd Jones Smith Bio
Jaryd Emanuel Jones-Smith, born on September 3, 1995, is an American professional football guard who currently plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and listed at 320 pounds, he has built a long professional career as an offensive lineman, suiting up for multiple teams across the National Football League (NFL), the Alliance of American Football (AAF), the XFL, and the UFL. After going undrafted out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2018, he has earned recognition as one of the more consistent interior linemen in the spring football circuit, highlighted by All-XFL Team honors in 2023 and All-UFL Team recognition in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Jaryd Emanuel Jones-Smith was born in Camden, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended West Catholic Preparatory High School. Growing up in the Philadelphia area placed him in a region with a strong football tradition, and his size and athleticism made him a natural fit for the offensive line from an early age. He developed his fundamentals in high school, where his combination of frame and footwork quickly drew attention from college programs.
Coming out of West Catholic Prep, Jones-Smith was rated as one of the more promising offensive line prospects in his recruiting class. His senior-year performances cemented his reputation as a projectable tackle at the next level, with several college programs extending scholarship offers. He ultimately chose to continue his development at the University of Pittsburgh, where he would spend the next four seasons competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Path to American Football
Jones-Smith enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 and joined the Pittsburgh Panthers football program. He spent his early college years developing his body and technique under the Panthers’ coaching staff, gradually working his way into a more prominent role on the offensive line as his frame continued to fill out. By his upperclassman seasons, he had earned a starting spot and became a reliable presence at tackle for Pittsburgh.
His performance at the college level helped him earn an invitation to several postseason all-star opportunities, and he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft following his senior campaign. Although he went undrafted, his size, length, and developmental ceiling kept him firmly on NFL radars as a priority free-agent signing.
Jaryd Jones Smith Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones-Smith signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018. He spent the offseason and training camp with the organization before being waived during final roster cuts on September 1, 2018. Shortly after the Alliance of American Football launched its inaugural season, he signed with the San Antonio Commanders in 2019, where he appeared in all eight games before the league suspended operations in April of that year.
With the AAF folding, Jones-Smith returned to the NFL pipeline and signed with the Miami Dolphins on April 9, 2019. He remained with the Dolphins through the summer before being waived on August 31, 2019. He then signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on October 1, 2019, re-signed with the team in February 2020, and was waived during final cuts on September 5, 2020.
Las Vegas Raiders Stint (2020–2021)
On September 8, 2020, Jones-Smith signed to the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, providing depth along the offensive line. During the 2020 season he was elevated to the active roster for games in Weeks 9, 10, and 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs, gaining valuable regular-season experience at the highest level. After each elevation, he reverted back to the practice squad, and he signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on January 5, 2021.
He was waived by the Raiders on August 31, 2021, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. Although his time in Las Vegas was brief, it represented his most meaningful stretch of regular-season NFL action to that point in his career.
Baltimore Ravens Tenure (2021–2022)
On September 21, 2021, Jones-Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, adding veteran depth to their offensive line group. He was released on November 16, 2021, but re-signed with the team a week later on November 23, 2021. He then signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on January 10, 2022, securing his place in the organization through the offseason.
He was waived by the Ravens on August 23, 2022, as the team set its initial 53-man roster. The stint in Baltimore allowed him to remain within a competitive AFC North organization and continue refining his approach at guard and tackle.
St. Louis BattleHawks and Washington Commanders (2022–2023)
On November 17, 2022, Jones-Smith was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL Draft, marking his return to a full-time starting role. He performed well enough during the 2023 XFL season to be named to the All-XFL Team at offensive line, one of the league’s top individual honors. He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023, after the season concluded.
The very next day, on May 16, 2023, he signed with the Washington Commanders. He was waived on August 29, 2023, but quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad. After his practice squad contract expired at the end of the season, he became a free agent, opening the door for his return to St. Louis.
St. Louis Battlehawks Era (2024–2025)
On February 15, 2024, Jones-Smith re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks, who were now part of the merged United Football League. He played a key role along the offensive line and was named to the 2024 All-UFL Team on June 5, 2024, becoming one of the most decorated linemen in the spring football circuit. His contract was terminated on June 17, 2024, so he could pursue an NFL opportunity.
On June 20, 2024, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but was waived on August 25, 2024, during roster cutdowns. On November 29, 2024, he re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks, returning to the franchise that had given him his biggest professional platform. He has continued to serve as a veteran presence along the Battlehawks’ offensive line in 2025.
Houston Gamblers Selection (2026)
On January 13, 2026, Jones-Smith was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft. Although drafted, he had announced his intention to retire from professional football, signaling the likely end of a long and well-traveled career across multiple professional leagues.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Jones-Smith’s career, his All-XFL Team selection in 2023 and All-UFL Team honor in 2024 stand out as signature achievements, validating his standing among the top offensive linemen in spring football. He appeared in six NFL regular-season games, primarily through practice-squad elevations with the Las Vegas Raiders. Playing in all eight AAF games for the San Antonio Commanders in 2019 also marked an early career milestone during a unique chapter in professional football history.
Jaryd Jones Smith Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Jones-Smith’s professional resume is measured less by traditional win totals and more by his durability, consistency, and league recognition. He has been part of winning locker rooms across the AAF, XFL, and UFL, and his play along the interior has earned him back-to-back All-League honors in consecutive spring seasons.
XFL and UFL Highlights
Jones-Smith was a key contributor for the St. Louis BattleHawks during the 2023 XFL season, where his steady play at offensive tackle helped anchor the line en route to an All-XFL Team selection. He followed that up with an All-UFL Team nod in 2024, again as a member of the Battlehawks, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable linemen in the spring game.
Other Performances
Beyond his spring league accolades, Jones-Smith appeared in all eight AAF games for the San Antonio Commanders in 2019 before the league folded. He also spent time on NFL practice squads with the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and Atlanta Falcons, building a reputation as a dependable depth piece at the highest level.
Jaryd Jones Smith Family
Personal Life
Jones-Smith has largely kept his personal and family life out of the public eye, and few verified details about his relatives or relationships are publicly available. He has spent much of his professional career split between NFL cities and St. Louis, where he has built the strongest roots with the Battlehawks organization. His professional journey reflects the perseverance of a player who has continued to compete across multiple leagues and cities throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Jones-Smith re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks on November 29, 2024, and entered the 2025 UFL season as one of the team’s most experienced offensive linemen. Coming off consecutive All-League honors in 2023 and 2024, he was expected to once again serve as a foundational piece of the Battlehawks’ offensive front. His veteran presence helped stabilize a line tasked with protecting the team’s quarterbacks and opening running lanes for the St. Louis backfield.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Jones-Smith continued to be a tone-setter along the interior, providing leadership in the locker room and steadiness on the field. His familiarity with the Battlehawks’ scheme, developed across three separate stints with the organization, made him a natural anchor for younger linemen rotating into the lineup. While the Battlehawks worked to remain competitive in the UFL playoff picture, his consistency up front remained a constant.
Looking ahead, Jones-Smith’s future took an unexpected turn in January 2026 when he was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft. Despite the selection, he had publicly announced his intention to retire from professional football, bringing to a close a long and well-traveled career that spanned the NFL, AAF, XFL, and UFL.