Maason Smith

Maason Smith (born October 13, 2002) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life Smith attended Terrebonne High School in Houma, Louisiana. Smith was one of the top rated recruits in the 2021 class, recording more than 40 tackles and nine sacks in his senior season. As a result, Smith would be named to the All-American Bowl roster. Rated as the highest recruit in Louisiana, Smith decided to stay in state and play college football at Louisiana State University over offers from Miami, Georgia, and Alabama.

College career At LSU, Smith became the first player to wear the number zero in school history. In his freshman year, Smith would tally 19 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss. Three of Smith's sacks would come against McNeese State. Smith would suffer a leg injury and miss the rest of the season. Smith was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and the Freshman All-America Team. To open the 2022 season, LSU played Florida State in the Louisiana Kickoff. During the game, while celebrating a play, Smith tore his ACL prematurely ending his season. He returned the following season, totaling 27 tackles and four and a half sacks, before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Atlanta Falcons On April 17, 2026, the Jaguars traded Smith to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for defensive tackle, Ruke Orhorhoro, who was selected thirteen picks ahead of Smith in the NFL draft.