#8

Jalen Smith

WR · Minnesota · R-Jr. · #8

Returning to Minnesota for 2026
R-Jr. · Mankato, Minn. → Mankato West
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This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Jalen Smith

WR · Minnesota · Fr · #8

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
No recruit profile
CFB
College
Minnesota
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025Minnesota8-5HC: P.J. Fleck · Balanced, slow tempo

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Minnesota2841915.04--
Career2841915.04--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 8 · 2025

W 24–6

vs Nebraska

3 rec · 59 yds

How he plays

Play style

Moves the chains on third down.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Minnesota

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Wide receiver · Minnesota

Returning around him

  • 44% of 2024 offensive production back (Moderate turnover)
  • 1 Minnesota player drafted to NFL
  • Transfer portal: -1 net (19 in / 20 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Minnesota · Last season: 8-5 · Talent rank #41 · 2026 recruiting class #28

DNA match

Player DNA

Possession Receiver

Reliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive.

WR

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Brett Eskildsen’s 2025 season.

Iowa State · 2025

#2

Nyziah Hunter

California · 2024

82%
#3

Cam Thompson

Northern Illinois · 2024

79%
#4

Nyziah Hunter

Nebraska · 2025

77%
#5

Malik Nabers

LSU · 2021

NFL Rd 1 · Pk 6
77%

Matches Brett on

Total EPA (college ability)
Yards / reception
Weight

Differs from Brett on

Class year (lower)

Through 1 college season, his career arc tracks closest to Brennan Eagles’s path through Texas.

Brennan Eagles

99%match

Texas · 2020

#2

Joshua Derry

Monmouth · 2025

98%
#3

Blayne Taylor

Abilene Christian · 2024

98%
#4

Billy Bowens

Boise State · 2023

97%
#5

Dallas Dixon

Central Michigan · 2022

All-MAC
96%

Matches Brennan on

Yards per reception

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Donovan Olugbode's freshman season at Missouri (2025).

Missouri · 2025

#2

Ladd McConkey

Georgia · 2021

WuerffelAll-SECNFL Rd 2 · Pk 2
72%
#3

Justin Stevenson

Wyoming · 2024

70%
#4

Devan Williams

Tulsa · 2023

70%
#5

Kobe Paysour

North Carolina · 2022

70%

Matches Donovan on

Yards / reception
Total EPA (college ability)
Height

Differs from Donovan on

TD rate (higher)

Player DNA

Players who play like Jalen Smith

#1

Billy Bowens

Boise State · 2021

97%
#2

Dallas Dixon

Central Michigan · 2021

96%
#3

Jayshon Platt

Florida Atlantic · 2025

96%
#4

Malik Benson

Alabama · 2023

96%
#5

Moose Muhammad III

Texas A&M · 2022

95%

Heisman trajectory

Heisman futures · sportsbook market

#8 in market ▼ from #6 · 4 books

+10009.1% implied

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #845

Final rank
#871
Avg #899.0
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #845 this season.

Background

PRONUNCIATION Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. HONORS: Academic All-Big Ten (2025) 2025 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in all 13 games • made 28 catches for 419 yards and four touchdowns. Game-by-Game: Caught two passes for 76 yards against Buffalo, which included a 60-yard touchdown from Dr...

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