A hometown product who starred at Maryland, Octavian Smith Jr. signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent to keep his career close to home.
Octavian Smith Jr. grew up in nearby Burtonsville, Maryland and starred at Paint Branch High School before spending four seasons at the University of Maryland. After going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, he signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, giving the speedy vertical threat a chance to keep playing close to home.
Path to the league
Smith was a four-star recruit and the top-ranked offensive player in Maryland coming out of Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville. He stayed home to play for the Terrapins from 2022 through 2025, developing into a downfield threat before signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Smith appeared in all 13 games as a freshman in 2022, catching 12 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns while also working as a kick returner. He built on that role over four years in College Park, developing into a reliable vertical target known for stretching secondaries.
2025 season recap
Smith posted a career-high 43 receptions for 529 yards in his senior season at Maryland, starting in all but one game. It was the best statistical season of his college career and set up his free-agent signing with the Ravens, who have continued to emphasize explosive downfield plays around quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Sources
- ESPN: Octavian Smith Jr.
- ESPN: Octavian Smith Jr. college stats
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Maryland
- Hometown
- Burtonsville, MD, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
