DETROIT — Former Terrebonne High standout Maason Smith became the fourth player picked from LSU – and second Tiger taken by the Jaguars – in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday.
Jacksonville drafted the 6-foot-6, 315-pound defensive tackle in the second round, 48th overall – a day after taking LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23 in the first round on Thursday.
"I don't think it could have ended up any better," Smith told media after being drafted. "Not too far from home. Very warm, Lots of things that I'm used to.
"From the first conversations we had, they were just real," he continued. "I like to have realness around me. People who aren't going to shy away from telling me the things I need to hear instead of what I want to hear. A lot of guys run from that, and I run to it."
The Houma native, who was the first player in LSU history to wear No. 0, started his career in Baton Rouge with a bang after being named to both the All-SEC Freshman Team and the Freshman All-American Team in 2021.
Unfortunately, Smith endured a season-ending setback the following season after tearing his ACL in the 2022 Louisiana Kickoff game against Florida State.
The NCAA then suspended Smith for one game in 2023 for receiving an improper benefit before the Name, Image, Likeness era began in 2021.
LSU teammates Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers were selected in the first round on Thursday – second and sixth overall, respectively.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.