The New York Jets made a pickup within the hours following the 2025 NFL Draft which will pay dividends transferring ahead if historical past repeats itself. The Jets invited South Carolina State linebacker Aaron Smith to their minicamp and have signed him to a free agent deal.
Aaron Smith, standing at 6’2″ and weighing 226 lbs, was a standout at SCSU, incomes First Workforce All-MEAC honors in 2024. His senior season included 95 tackles and eight.5 tackles for loss. Identified for his instinctive play and protection skills, Smith showcased his expertise on the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl. Whereas considerations about his measurement and occasional over-pursuit exist, his faculty manufacturing and soccer IQ recommend he has the instruments to develop right into a dependable NFL contributor for the New York Jets.
Listed below are only a handful of gifted defenders from South Carolina State who’ve develop into key gamers and contributors with NFL groups over time.
1. Deacon Jones (DE)
NFL Groups: Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins
Profession Highlights: 8× Professional Bowl, 5× First-team All-Professional, 2× NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months
Legacy: Coined the time period “sack” and is taken into account one of many biggest defensive ends in NFL historical past. Inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1980.
2. Harry Carson (LB)
NFL Workforce: New York Giants
Profession Highlights: 9× Professional Bowl, Tremendous Bowl XXI Champion
Legacy: Anchored the Giants’ protection for over a decade and was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2006.
3. Shaquille Leonard (LB)
NFL Groups: Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles
Profession Highlights: NFL Defensive Rookie of the 12 months (2018), 3× First-team All-Professional
Legacy: Identified for his high-energy play and management, Leonard rapidly turned one of many league’s prime linebackers after being drafted within the second spherical.
4. Barney Chavous (DE)
NFL Workforce: Denver Broncos
Profession Highlights: Performed 13 seasons with the Broncos, amassing 75 sacks
Legacy: A constant and sturdy presence on the Broncos’ line of defense all through the Nineteen Seventies and early Eighties.
5. DeCobie Durant (DB)
NFL Workforce: Los Angeles Rams
Profession Highlights: Drafted within the 4th spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft
Legacy: Rising expertise within the Rams’ secondary, recognized for his ball-hawking expertise and flexibility.
6. Donnie Shell (DB)
NFL Workforce: Pittsburgh Steelers
Profession Highlights: 4× Tremendous Bowl Champion, 5× Professional Bowl, 3× First-team All-Professional
Legacy: Undrafted out of SCSU, Shell turned probably the most feared safeties of the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties as a part of the Steelers’ “Metal Curtain” protection. He was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2020.
7. Dwayne Harper (CB)
NFL Groups: Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers
Profession Highlights: Began in Tremendous Bowl XXIX with the Chargers
Legacy: Harper had a 12-year NFL profession and was recognized for his toughness and constant play, incomes a popularity as a dependable cornerback.
8. Robert Porcher (DE)
NFL Workforce: Detroit Lions
Profession Highlights: 3× Professional Bowl, 95.5 profession sacks
Legacy: Although he transferred to Tennessee State to complete his faculty profession, Porcher started at South Carolina State and nonetheless represents the Bulldog pipeline. He turned probably the most productive go rushers in Lions historical past.
9. Javon Hargrave (DT)
NFL Groups: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
Profession Highlights: Tremendous Bowl LVII look, main free agent contract in 2023
Legacy: Hargrave dominated at SCSU earlier than changing into one of many prime inside defensive linemen within the NFL, recognized for his quickness and power.
10. Marshall McFadden (LB)
NFL Groups: Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders
Profession Highlights: Particular groups contributor and rotational linebacker
Legacy: McFadden went undrafted in 2009, but carved out a number of seasons within the NFL, proving that Bulldogs defenders can beat the chances.
Solely time will inform if the New York Jets have hit on one other diamond within the tough from this HBCU. However historical past says there’s a fairly good probability.
