#6
Ja'ir Smith
Returning to California for 2026
Ja'ir Smith
This is his second year in the same secondary at California. The receipt: 3 tackles against Texas Southern — Week 2, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- seasons on the roster
- game log
Career Arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
California
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2024California6-7HC: Justin Wilcox · Balanced
2025California7-6HC: Justin Wilcox · Pass-leaning
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Tosh Lupoi
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | California | 13 | 9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | -- | -- |
| 2024 | California | 12 | 8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Career | 25 | 17 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 14 · 2025
W 38–35
vs SMU
2 TOT · 1 SOLO
Edged out SMU at home in a shootout.
How he plays
2026 Outlook
California
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · California
Returning around him
- 1 California player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -4 net (32 in / 36 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
California · Last season: 7-6 · Talent rank #36 · 2026 recruiting class #56
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology