Jonnu Smith

A four-year starter at Florida International, Smith lined up primarily inline, wing and in the slot and is the most prolific tight end in school history, ranking top-five in FIU history in career catches (178), receiving yards (2,001) and touchdown grabs (18). Smith grew up in Philadelphia before his mother sent him to Ocala for high school to live with his aunt and avoid the negative pressures of the inner city. With only 43 combined catches his junior and senior seasons, he went overlooked as a recruit and didn?t have any scholarship offers until FIU entered the picture, inviting him to a camp and offering him a full ride. Smith immediately earned a starting role as a true freshman and posted 39 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns, earning All-Freshman honors in 2013. He had his most productive season as a sophomore (12 starts) with a team-best 710 receiving yards on 61 catches and eight touchdowns, earning First Team All-CUSA honors. Smith started the first eight games in 2015 before an injury ended his junior season, finishing with 36 receptions for 397 yards and four scores. He started 11 games as a senior and posted 42 receptions for 506 yards and four touchdowns to earn Second Team All-CUSA honors. Using his speed and twitched up athleticism to be a mismatch underneath, Smith was most productive on quick screen and option routes designed to get the ball in his hands to stress man coverage. Although he doesn?t have ideal size measurements or core strength for the position, he is a competitive blocker and delivers pop with his upper body to keep defenders busy. With continued development finishing catches and running routes, Smith has the athletic skill-set to be a productive joker tight end in the NFL.

strengths

Coordinated athlete with fluid downfield stride. Nimble stem releases with his plant-and-go cutting ability. Bursts off the snap with route acceleration and subtle head fakes, making it tough for defenders to match his movements. Quick, soft hands to stab the ball away from his body. Attacks like a power forward and wins 50-50 balls due to timing. High-effort, combative blocker and his motor remains locked in gear. Wide base and flexible coil in pass protection. Two-year team captain with the ambitious attitude that will be welcome in a NFL locker room. Dedicates himself in the weight room and has worked hard to develop his playing strength, boasting an impressive physique. Owns every tight end record in FIU history, registering a catch in all 43 games in his career.

weaknesses

Lacks ideal height and length for the position. Impressive muscle definition, but likely maxed out physically. More drops than ideal on film and allows the ball into his body, forcing him to break stride. High volume of routes within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage at FIU. Late to recognize coverages with room to improve his body position in traffic. Muscled off his routes and struggles to escape the jam at times. Lacks the sand to sink his hips and anchor in pass pro. Medicals need vetted following a torn ACL in his left knee (Oct. 2015) that ended his junior year; suffered severe burns to his head, neck, back and shoulder after his pregnant girlfriend (Mary Gaspar) intentionally poured boiling water on him (Nov. 2016) ? she was charged with aggravated battery.

2012 Ocala Star Banner All-County First Team

2012 Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-District 7 Football Team

rated the No. 75 tight end nationally from 247Sports

rated three stars from 247Sports

committed on July 23, 2012

had a team leading 34 catches for 517 yards and two touchdowns as a senior

as a junior, had nine receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns

played for Coach Ryan Hearn

also competed in weightlifting, finishing second in the county in the 219-pound weight class.

Parents - Wayne Smith (deceased) and Karen Smith

siblings - Latia, Tasha, Tamara, Taneka and Wayne

born Aug. 22, 1995

Majoring in liberal studies

began playing football at age five

played Pop Warner football for the Northwest Raiders, growing up in Philadelphia.

2016

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.0	0.0	5.0	1.0	5.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
42.0	12.0	4.0	40.0	506.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0

2015

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
36.0	11.0	4.0	67.0	397.0