An Iowa product who has bounced across five NFL rosters and the XFL/UFL since going undrafted in 2021, still chasing his first extended NFL opportunity.
Brandon Smith is a well-traveled wide receiver now with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a futures contract. The Lake Cormorant, Mississippi native has spent parts of five seasons bouncing between NFL practice squads, brief roster stints, and the XFL/UFL's DC Defenders since leaving Iowa in 2021.
Path to the league
Smith starred at Lake Cormorant High School in Mississippi before playing four seasons at Iowa, where he caught 91 passes for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns across 39 games, with his best season coming as a junior in 2019. He went undrafted in 2021 and signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
Career highlights
Since entering the league, Smith has been a member of the Cowboys, Cardinals, Jets, and Patriots, along with a stint with the DC Defenders in the XFL and UFL. He made his NFL regular-season debut during Week 15 of the 2024 season with the New York Jets.
2025 season recap
Smith's NFL playing time has remained limited, with only three career regular-season games played through the end of the 2025 season. The Steelers signed the former Jets receiver to a futures contract after the 2025 postseason, giving him another chance to earn a roster spot in 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Brandon Smith (wide receiver)
- Heavy.com: Steelers Sign Former Iowa & New York Jets Wide Receiver to Futures Deal
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Iowa
- Hometown
- Lake Cormorant, MS, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
