Xavier Smith’s path to becoming an NFL player with the LA Rams has always taken the tough route. Out of high school, he contacted multiple schools but was not offered a scholarship. He decided to follow the path of his brother Kareem and walk on at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Kareem was a star receiver for the Rattlers.
The younger Smith would make his way to the Rattlers and flourish under Willie Simmons. Smith would end his career as an All-SWAC and multiple All-American. However, on draft day he still would not hear his name called.
On Sunday, in his second year on the practice squad, Smith would introduce himself to the NFL. Smith was called up to the LA Rams for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. With under a minute to go in the game, head coach Sean McVay would put Smith in the game to run back a punt. At the time the game was tied at 24-24 and the Rams needed a boost to get the offense in position to at least kick a field goal to win the game. Smith would deliver.
Smith’s punt return sets up game-winning field goal
Catching the punt on his own 12-yard line, he would avoid the “gunner” running down to tackle him. He would then turn on the jets, make a dash for the sideline, and display his 4.3 speed up the sideline in front of the Rams’ bench. He would be pushed out of bounds near midfield and credited with officially a 38-yard punt return. The LA Rams would go on to gain a few yards on offense before kicking the game-winning field goal to win the game 27-24.
McVay would award Smith with a game ball for his heroics. “There are so many guys that I want to be able to recognize…a couple guys that come to mind immediately. How bout Xavier Smith.” The Rams locker room exploded. Smith would step up and receive a game ball for his first-ever NFL action.
Game announcers were as excited as anyone. They went down the list of how Smith had been shunned since high school, even working at Amazon before walking on to FAMU. As he returned the punt they would remark, “Welcome to the league on your first big impact play Xavier Smith.”
Smith torched Southern Jaguars in 2019
It was quite the week for Smith as he celebrated his birthday on September 21st, the day before the game. He couldn’t possibly have gotten a gift bigger than the one he created on Sunday. It was replayed on virtually every sports highlight show. In addition, it was on the same day that he famously sealed the game for FAMU in a battle in Bragg Stadium against the Southern Jaguars in 2019.
The Rattlers had fallen behind the Jaguars 21-19 in the fourth quarter. FAMU managed a long drive with Smith making two giant catches. To cap the drive, Smith would throw a nasty double move on a Jaguar defender and quarterback Ryan Stanley would find him for the game-winning score with 3:00 remaining in the game.
HBCU Gameday compiled a list of active players on NFL rosters for the start of the season. Add Smith to the growing list of HBCU players making their way in the NFL.