Mazi Smith Bio
Mazi Smith is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League. Born on June 16, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he played college football for the Michigan Wolverines before being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 337 pounds, Smith is recognized for his combination of size, power, and quickness on the interior defensive line. After three seasons in Dallas, he was traded to the Jets during the 2025 season.
Smith rose to national prominence as one of the most decorated high school recruits in Michigan before starring at the University of Michigan, where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. His journey from a top-rated high school prospect to a first-round NFL pick reflects years of development at one of college football’s premier programs. Today, he continues his professional career as part of the Jets’ defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Mazi Smith was born on June 16, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up in the surrounding Kentwood area. He is of Nigerian descent, a heritage that has shaped his family background and personal identity. Smith attended East Kentwood High School in Kentwood, Michigan, where he first developed into a highly regarded football prospect.
During his high school career, Smith emerged as one of the top defensive line recruits in the country. He was rated by ESPN as the No. 38 overall recruit in the Class of 2019 and the second-best defensive tackle in that class. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism made him a priority target for several major college football programs across the nation.
Smith’s development at East Kentwood set the foundation for his future success, as he showcased the physical tools and competitive toughness that would later define his style of play. His performance on the field drew attention from college scouts and helped establish his reputation as a player capable of dominating the line of scrimmage.
Path to American Football
Smith’s path to professional football began with his commitment to the University of Michigan, one of the most storied programs in college football history. He joined the Wolverines as part of the 2019 recruiting class and spent four seasons developing under the program’s defensive coaching staff. His progression through the college ranks allowed him to refine his technique and prepare for the demands of the NFL.
During the 2021 season, Smith started all 14 games for Michigan, recording 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and four quarterback hurries. In August 2022, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic ranked Smith as the top player on his annual list of college football “freaks,” citing his size of over 325 pounds combined with a shuttle time of 4.41 seconds and a three-cone drill time of 6.94 seconds. Feldman described Smith as possessing “rare power and agility,” highlighting his unusual athletic profile for a player of his size.
At the conclusion of the 2022 season, Smith was selected as a first-team player on the All-Big Ten Conference football team, cementing his status as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the nation. His strong senior campaign positioned him as a likely first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Mazi Smith Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Smith’s early career at Michigan was marked by steady development and increasing responsibility. He appeared in games throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons before earning a starting role in 2021. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses quickly became a hallmark of his play, as he consistently generated pressure on quarterbacks and created congestion in the running game.
As a vocal leader of Michigan’s 2022 defense, Smith played a key role in one of the program’s most successful defensive campaigns in recent memory. His leadership, combined with his production on the field, helped elevate the Wolverines’ defensive performance and showcased his readiness for the next level.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–2025)
Smith was selected in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, making him the first defensive tackle taken by the franchise in the first round since Russell Maryland in 1991. He was acquired to be a plug-and-play option at nose tackle and to improve the team’s rushing defense. As a rookie, Smith was asked to cut his weight below 300 pounds in order to alternate between the 1-technique and 3-technique positions along the defensive line.
During his rookie season, Smith appeared in all 17 games with three starts, playing 304 snaps while registering 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and five quarterback pressures. In the 2024 season, the Cowboys hired defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and Smith was allowed to return to a more comfortable weight, playing primarily at the 1-technique position. He started all 17 games that year, posting a career-high 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and four quarterback pressures. In 2025, the Cowboys hired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and Smith was again asked to lose weight to play multiple positions. He lost playing time to Kenny Clark, Solomon Thomas, and rookie Jay Toia, appearing in only five games as a backup with three tackles.
New York Jets Era (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys traded Smith, along with a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 first-round pick, to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The move marked a fresh start for Smith, who joined a Jets organization looking to add depth and talent to its defensive front.
Since joining the Jets, Smith has appeared in limited action, playing only 54 snaps across three games as a backup while making three tackles. On April 29, 2026, the Jets declined the fifth-year option on Smith’s contract, making him a free agent after the 2026 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most notable milestone came with his selection as the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, marking him as the Cowboys’ first first-round defensive tackle in over three decades. He was also recognized by The Athletic in 2022 as the top “freak” athlete in college football, a distinction that highlighted his exceptional physical testing numbers. During his time at Michigan, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022, capping a strong college career.
Mazi Smith Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Smith has been valued for his ability to contribute to team defense rather than accumulate individual statistical milestones. As an interior defensive lineman, his impact is often measured in pressures, tackles for loss, and run-stopping ability rather than traditional win totals.
NFL Highlights
In his three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2023–2025), Smith appeared in 39 games with 20 starts, recording 62 total tackles, two sacks, and multiple quarterback pressures. His most productive season came in 2024, when he started all 17 games and posted a career-high 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. Since joining the New York Jets, he has continued to serve as a rotational defensive tackle contributing to the team’s defensive line.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Smith was a key contributor to the Michigan Wolverines’ defense and earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022. His standout performance during the 2021 season, in which he started all 14 games, helped establish him as one of the premier defensive tackle prospects in the country.
Mazi Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smith is of Nigerian descent, a heritage he has spoken about as an important part of his identity. His family background reflects a strong connection to athletic achievement, with relatives who have competed at the highest levels of professional sports.
Personal Life
Smith’s cousin, T. J. Duckett, played running back in the NFL, giving him a direct family connection to professional football. His second cousin, Sekou Smith, was a former NBA analyst. These family ties to professional sports have helped shape Smith’s understanding of the dedication required to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a transitional year for Smith, beginning with the Dallas Cowboys hiring defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Under the new defensive scheme, Smith was asked to lose weight to play multiple positions along the defensive line, a change that affected his role within the team. He appeared in only five games as a backup, recording three tackles before being declared inactive in three contests. The shift in scheme and the addition of new defensive talent contributed to a reduction in his playing time.
On November 4, 2025, Smith was traded to the New York Jets as part of a package that brought Quinnen Williams to Dallas. With the Jets, he appeared in three games, playing 54 snaps as a backup and recording three tackles. His limited role in New York reflected the challenges of adjusting to a new team mid-season and competing for snaps along the defensive line.
Looking ahead, Smith’s future with the Jets became more uncertain on April 29, 2026, when the team declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent after the 2026 season. The decision places Smith in a position where he will need to demonstrate his value and productivity to secure his long-term future in the league.
