Maason Smith Bio
Maason Smith is an American professional football nose tackle who plays in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the LSU Tigers, he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft and was later traded to the Atlanta Falcons. Known for his size and quickness on the interior defensive line, Smith has emerged as a young talent with a promising professional trajectory.
Early Life and Background
Maason Smith was born on October 13, 2002, in Houma, Louisiana. He grew up in the same community that would later cheer his rise through the ranks of American football. Houma, located in the bayou region of southern Louisiana, is known for producing tough and dedicated athletes, and Smith’s upbringing reflected that environment.
He attended Terrebonne High School in Houma, where he developed into one of the most highly rated defensive line prospects in the country. During his senior season, Smith recorded more than 40 tackles and nine sacks, performances that placed him among the top recruits in the 2021 high school class. His play earned him a selection to the All-American Bowl roster, one of the premier high school all-star events in the United States.
Rated as the highest-ranked recruit in the state of Louisiana, Smith received scholarship offers from several powerhouse programs, including Miami, Georgia, and Alabama. Despite the national attention, he chose to remain in his home state and committed to Louisiana State University (LSU), where he could continue his football development while staying close to family and friends.
Path to American Football
Smith’s transition from high school standout to college contributor was swift. Upon arriving at LSU, he became the first player in school history to wear the number zero jersey, a decision that reflected both his individuality and the program’s willingness to allow players to choose alternate numbers under new NCAA rules.
During his freshman season in 2021, Smith made an immediate impact on the LSU defensive line. He recorded 19 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss, including three sacks in a single game against McNeese State. His production earned him a spot on the All-SEC Freshman Team and the Freshman All-America Team, honors that confirmed his status as one of the top young defensive linemen in the country.
Smith’s sophomore campaign in 2022 was cut short by a torn ACL suffered while celebrating a play during the season-opening Louisiana Kickoff game against Florida State. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the year, but he returned in 2023 to total 27 tackles and four and a half sacks. Following that comeback season, Smith declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, concluding his college career after three seasons in Baton Rouge.
Maason Smith Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Smith’s early football career was defined by rapid development at LSU, where he competed in the Southeastern Conference, widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football. As a freshman, he earned Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-America recognition, a rare honor for a first-year player. His combination of size, athleticism, and pass-rushing ability gave the Tigers a disruptive interior presence.
The 2022 season brought a major setback when Smith suffered a torn ACL, an injury that often takes a full year to recover from. Showing determination, he returned for the 2023 season and reestablished himself as a key contributor on the LSU defensive line, posting 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks across the year before declaring for the NFL Draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024–2025)
Maason Smith entered the NFL when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 306 pounds, an imposing frame for a defensive tackle, and he wore jersey number 92 for the Jaguars. His selection reflected Jacksonville’s emphasis on rebuilding the interior of their defensive line with young, athletic prospects.
During his time in Jacksonville, Smith appeared in regular season games and contributed on both running and passing downs. Through the 2025 season, he had recorded 32 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 pass deflections, demonstrating his ability to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage. His role with the Jaguars allowed him to gain valuable professional experience and adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
Atlanta Falcons (2026–Present)
On April 17, 2026, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Maason Smith to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, who had been selected just thirteen picks ahead of Smith in the 2024 NFL Draft. The trade paired Smith with a new organization looking to strengthen its defensive front, and it gave him an opportunity for a larger role going forward.
Smith joined the Falcons as an active nose tackle, and the move marked a fresh chapter in his professional career. With his combination of size, power, and prior NFL game experience, he is positioned to compete for significant playing time in Atlanta’s defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Smith’s early career came during his freshman year at LSU, when he recorded three sacks in a single game against McNeese State. Another defining event was his selection to the All-American Bowl roster out of high school, which signaled his arrival on the national recruiting scene. At the professional level, being chosen 48th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft stands as a major milestone, followed by his 2026 trade to the Atlanta Falcons.
Maason Smith Career Wins
As an interior defensive lineman, Maason Smith’s career achievements are measured less in traditional wins and more in statistical production, team contributions, and individual honors. His primary accolades include Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-America recognition in 2021, along with his second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
LSU Tigers Highlights
At LSU, Smith posted 19 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss as a freshman, including a three-sack performance against McNeese State. He followed that with 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his final college season in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a reliable interior defender before turning professional.
NFL Performance Highlights
In the NFL, Smith’s first two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars produced 32 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 pass deflections through the 2025 season. These numbers reflect his ability to contribute as a run-stopper and pass rusher, and they set the stage for his continued development with the Atlanta Falcons.
Maason Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Maason Smith was raised in Houma, Louisiana, a community with a strong athletic tradition. While specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented, his roots in southern Louisiana shaped his early exposure to football and his decision to play college football for LSU.
Personal Life
Smith maintains a private personal life away from football. He was listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 306 pounds during his time with the Jaguars, and he is active on social media under the handle @maason on Instagram. His focus has remained on his professional development since entering the NFL in 2024.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NFL season, Maason Smith continued his development with the Jacksonville Jaguars, contributing as a rotational nose tackle on the defensive line. He finished the year with 32 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 pass deflections, statistics that showed steady progress in his pass-rushing and run-defense responsibilities.
Smith’s role in Jacksonville allowed him to refine his technique and adjust to the pace of professional play. His ability to disrupt both the run and the pass made him a valuable piece of the Jaguars’ defensive front, even as the team evaluated its long-term plans for the position group.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in April 2026, setting the stage for a new chapter in his career. With the Falcons, he is expected to compete for a larger role on the defensive line and build on the foundation established during his first two NFL seasons.