JS #22

Jaylin Smith

Cornerback · USC

A third-round USC product who moved from nickel to outside corner as a senior and now anchors Houston's young secondary.

Jaylin Smith arrived in Houston as the Texans' third-round pick in the 2025 draft, reuniting with former USC teammate Calen Bullock in the defensive backfield. The Bel Air native built his college resume as a versatile, physical cover man before a hamstring injury slowed his rookie transition.

★ Third-round pick (97th overall), 2025 NFL Draft

★ 182 career tackles and three interceptions at USC

★ Reunited with former USC teammate Calen Bullock in Houston's secondary

Path to the league

Houston traded up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select Smith with the 97th overall pick, acquiring the selection from Minnesota. He signed a four-year, $6.16 million rookie deal that included a $1.12 million signing bonus.

Career highlights

Over four seasons at USC (2021-24), Smith played in 43 games with 32 starts, recording 182 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He spent much of his college career at nickel before shifting to outside cornerback as a senior under position coach Doug Belk and coordinator D'Anton Lynn, a move that boosted his draft stock.

2025 season recap

Smith's rookie year was cut short by a hamstring injury that limited him to four games before he landed on injured reserve. In that limited action he recorded three solo tackles without an interception, leaving him to build on that foundation entering his second season in Houston.