J’Mar Smith Bio
Jamarius “J’Mar” Smith (born September 24, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback who has built his career across the NFL, CFL, USFL, and UFL. He played college football at Louisiana Tech, where he became one of the most productive passers in Conference USA. Smith is best known for his tenure with the Birmingham Stallions, where he won back-to-back USFL championships in 2022 and 2023 and a UFL championship in 2024. Standing 6 ft 1 in and listed at 218 lb, he has been recognized for his athletic versatility, leadership, and resilience through injuries and roster changes.
Early Life and Background
J’Mar Smith was born on September 24, 1996, in Meridian, Mississippi. He grew up in the same hometown where his father, Kenny Smith, had built a name as a defensive lineman in the NFL, playing for the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. That family connection to professional football helped shape Smith’s early interest in the sport and gave him a clear picture of the work required to reach the top level.
At Meridian High School, Smith was a multi-sport athlete and a three-star football recruit. On the gridiron, he shared a locker room with defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, who later went on to play for the Miami Dolphins. Beyond football, Smith also played catcher for the Meridian baseball team. His baseball talent drew national attention when the San Diego Padres selected him in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB draft, but he chose to decline the contract and pursue his football career.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Meridian, Smith held scholarship offers from several programs, including Mississippi State and Memphis. He ultimately accepted a full scholarship from Louisiana Tech, where he was recruited by former NFL quarterback Tim Rattay. The decision to join the Bulldogs set the stage for his development as a college quarterback.
Smith spent his college years working his way up the depth chart and gaining experience with the Bulldogs offense. As a redshirt senior, he started 11 games and completed 236 of 367 passes for 2,977 yards and 18 touchdowns. That season was briefly interrupted by a two-game suspension for violating an athletic department policy, but he returned to lead Louisiana Tech to a 14-0 victory over Miami in the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. His strong play was rewarded when he was named Conference USA’s 2019 Football Offensive Player of the Year, and he was also a First-team All-C-USA selection.
J’Mar Smith Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, J’Mar Smith signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2020. His time in New England was short, as the Patriots waived him on July 26 before the start of training camp. He later had a tryout with the Green Bay Packers on August 23, 2020, while searching for another NFL opportunity.
In May 2021, Smith took his game north of the border, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League on May 17. He was assigned to the practice roster as the fourth-string quarterback. His time in Hamilton was brief, and the Tiger-Cats released him on August 21, 2021, leaving him looking for the right fit to restart his professional career.
Birmingham Stallions Breakthrough (2022-2024)
J’Mar Smith was selected in the 12th round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions, a team coached by his former college head coach Skip Holtz. The reunion paid off quickly. Smith led the Stallions to a victory over the New Jersey Generals in the USFL Kickoff Game and was voted USFL Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week. He finished the 2022 season by leading Birmingham to a USFL championship on July 3, establishing himself as the team’s lead signal-caller.
His 2023 campaign began with a setback when he was placed on injured reserve on April 19 following a torn ligament in his right hand. He later re-signed with the team on August 11, 2023, and was part of the Stallions’ run to a second consecutive USFL title. The momentum carried into 2024, when Birmingham captured the UFL championship, giving Smith three straight spring-league titles. Largely in a backup role during the 2024 season, he briefly retired ahead of the 2025 training camp and took a job at Dunkin’ while keeping the door open to return to football.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2025-Present)
J’Mar Smith re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions on April 24, 2025, after a string of injuries struck the team’s quarterback group, including Alex McGough, Andrew Peasley, and Matt Corral. He was released on April 28 but re-signed again on May 2, reflecting the team’s continued belief in his arm talent. In Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season, he went 22-of-31 for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns and was named UFL Offensive Player of the Week.
Smith started the 2025 UFL Conference Championship but was benched during the game in favor of Matt Corral. On August 22, 2025, he re-signed with the Stallions for the 2026 season. In mid-December 2025, after the league announced plans to liquidate all eight teams’ rosters and force UFL-contracted players into a centralized reallocation process, Smith resigned from the team and the league, a decision that coincided with Skip Holtz’s resignation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith has built his reputation on accuracy, mobility, and competitiveness from the pocket. His college numbers at Louisiana Tech and his spring-league passing totals show a quarterback who can push the ball downfield while still managing protections. His veteran presence, paired with his comfort in Skip Holtz’s offensive system, has made him a reliable leader in the Birmingham locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most celebrated moments include leading the Birmingham Stallions to USFL championships in 2022 and 2023 and a UFL championship in 2024, giving him three consecutive spring-league titles. He was also named USFL Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week in 2022, UFL Offensive Player of the Week in 2025, and earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2019, underscoring his long track record of high-level performance.
J’Mar Smith Career Wins
J’Mar Smith’s professional trophy case is anchored by three consecutive spring-league championships with the Birmingham Stallions. He helped capture USFL titles in 2022 and 2023 before adding a UFL championship in 2024, making him one of the most decorated quarterbacks in the modern era of spring professional football.
USFL and UFL Highlights
Smith’s first major win came on July 3, 2022, when he helped the Birmingham Stallions capture the USFL championship. He followed that with another USFL title in 2023 and a UFL championship in 2024, completing a three-year run of title-game victories. His most recent standout performance came in Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season, when he threw for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns to earn UFL Offensive Player of the Week.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Smith guided Louisiana Tech to a 14-0 victory over Miami in the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. He was also recognized as Conference USA’s 2019 Football Offensive Player of the Year and earned First-team All-C-USA honors, confirming his status among the conference’s top quarterbacks.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| USFL/UFL Championships with Birmingham Stallions | 3 | N/A | N/A |
J’Mar Smith Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
J’Mar Smith is the son of Kenny Smith, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. Growing up in Meridian, Mississippi, J’Mar was surrounded by a family with deep ties to professional football, which helped shape his path toward becoming a quarterback.
Personal Life
J’Mar Smith has been open about the lighter side of team life, including earning the playful Birmingham Stallions Best Hair Award from his teammates during his first season with the team. Beyond football, he has shown a willingness to take on jobs outside the sport, working at Dunkin’ during a brief retirement before returning to professional football.
2025 Season Performance
J’Mar Smith’s 2025 season has been defined by change, both in his role and on the Birmingham Stallions roster. He began the year away from the team before injuries to Alex McGough, Andrew Peasley, and Matt Corral created a need at quarterback, leading to his re-signing on April 24, 2025. After a brief release and a quick return on May 2, Smith re-established himself as a key piece of the Stallions’ offense.
His strongest showing came in Week 9, when he completed 22 of 31 passes for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors. He started the 2025 UFL Conference Championship but was benched during the game in favor of Matt Corral, signaling a rotation at the position as the Stallions pushed for another title.
Looking ahead, Smith’s situation remains fluid. He re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions for the 2026 season on August 22, 2025, but resigned from the team and league in mid-December following the announcement of a centralized player reallocation process. His next move will likely depend on how that restructuring unfolds, though his track record of three consecutive spring-league championships suggests he will continue to draw interest wherever he lands next.