Known for his elite acceleration and growing polish as a route-runner, Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith has become a focal point of draft conversations over the last few weeks. Smith, a track star who has since turned his spikes in for cleats, has rapidly evolved into a pass-catcher to become familiar with as we work toward the spring.
Speed is his calling card. A Florida state title winner in the 200M and the winner of the boys' elite 100M race at the 2019 Nike Elite Prefontaine Classic, it’s not hard to see why he’s been talked about as one of the fastest players in the 2025 class. With a verified track background, including a blazing 10.18-second 100M time during his collegiate career, his straight-line speed isn’t just elite, it’s world-class.
But what makes Smith unique from other track athletes is that his explosiveness translates to the football field. He can not only stretch defenses vertically or turn routine catches into six points, but he has the nuance as a football player in the shallow to intermediate areas and in the finer portions of the game that makes his game so intriguing. He reaches third gear in a flash and can maintain it through his breaks, a trait that makes him a nightmare for defensive backs tasked with mirroring his movements.
While Smith entered Georgia primarily as a speed threat, his development as a route-runner has been a pleasant surprise. Early in his college career, Smith relied heavily on his natural gifts to separate from defenders, but in 2024, Smith has displayed nuance in his routes with production (679 yards) that’s followed.
A former four-star recruit out of Bradley, Florida, Smith has improved his ability to sell vertical routes before breaking off into curls or comebacks, freezing defenders who overcompensate for his speed. His footwork at the top of routes is noticeably crisper, allowing him to generate separation even on intermediate patterns like outs and slants. Although he’s not, yet, an elite route technician, Smith’s trajectory suggests he can develop into a more complete receiver down the road.
With offenses increasingly built around creating explosive plays, players like Smith who can stretch the field, and a playbook, have become invaluable. His track speed speaks for itself, but it’s his ability to sustain that velocity with pads on that raises eyebrows. Scouts have also noted his competitive toughness as a factor in his speed being so effective. He isn’t just a sprinter looking to avoid contact, he’s willing to attack the ball in traffic and isn't afraid to take a shot over the middle of the field in high-leverage situations.
In the right offensive system, one that prioritizes vertical concepts and athletes in space, Smith could emerge as a heck of an offensive weapon. His speed alone will force defensive coordinators to adjust alignment and coverage depth, potentially opening up opportunities for others within the same offensive architecture.
An ascending talent with the potential to become a highly featured target within the right surroundings, Smith is much more than just the potential fastest player in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Teams aren’t just banking on his 100-meter dash times to translate, rather, they’ve recognized his unique blend of speed, competitiveness, and production in the SEC that showcases one of the least talked about wideouts, for now, in the entire class.
