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Hayden Smith | Tight End

Team: New York Jets
Age / DOB:  (28) / 4/10/1985
Ht / Wt:  6'8' / 240
College: Metro State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Former GM Mike Tannenbaum said on NFL Network that the Jets' defense couldn't cover TE Hayden Smith in practices last season.
Former Australian rugby star Smith spent most of 2012 on the Jets' practice squad. He could be a player to monitor in 2013 training camp, Smith's second year of organized football. "We could not cover this guy in practice," Tannenbaum said. "It would drive Rex (Ryan) up a wall. We could not cover this guy. He got better and better, wound up dressing for five games, and actually caught a pass against the Chargers." The Jets have a hole at tight end with Dustin Keller almost certain to leave in free agency. Mar 4 - 7:23 PM

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Date:

Jets signed TE Hayden Smith from the team's practice squad.

Veteran WR Jason Hill was released in a corresponding move. Smith's promotion means Jeff Cumberland (hand) will not play on Sunday against the Dolphins. Smith is an undrafted rookie out of Metropolitan State in Colorado.
Sat, Oct 27, 2012 04:36:00 PM

The beginning of Jets rookie minicamp on Friday was the first football practice of converted rugby player TE Hayden Smith's life.

Smith celebrated by running into the punter during a non-contact drill. Coach Rex Ryan nevertheless liked what he saw. "It's crazy to think this guy never put on a helmet before today, never ran a route, never did anything like that," Ryan said. "He certainly looks the part. I would not bet against this young man." A D-II basketball player before rugby, Smith has plenty of athleticism. Unless the Jets are completely enamored with his potential, however, he'll be facing long odds of making the roster.
Sat, May 5, 2012 10:23:00 AM

Jets signed TE Hayden Smith.

The former Australian rugby star earned a spot on the U.S. national team after playing Division 2 basketball at Metropolitan State in Denver. His background suggests a level of athleticism that could pay off as a long-term developmental project behind Dustin Keller. He won't be guaranteed a roster spot this year.
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 03:43:00 PM

ESPN New York reports the Jets are showing "serious interest" in Australian rugby star Hayden Smith, who projects as a tight end in the NFL.

A week shy of his 27th birthday, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Smith played college basketball for Metropolitan State in Denver before taking up rugby and making the U.S. national team. Smith has reportedly visited a "number of NFL teams," and was hosted by Gang Green in early February. According to his personal coach, he has already signed with the Jets, though the team has yet to make anything official.
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 08:34:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Mark Sanchez
2Geno Smith
3Greg McElroy
4Matt Simms
RB1Chris Ivory
2Mike Goodson
3Bilal Powell
4Joe McKnight
5John Griffin
GLB1Chris Ivory
2Mike Goodson
3RB1Mike Goodson
2Bilal Powell
FB1Tommy Bohanon
2Lex Hilliard
WR11Santonio Holmes
2Jeremy Kerley
3Jordan White
4Vidal Hazelton
5Marcus Davis
WR21Stephen Hill
2Clyde Gates
3Titus Ryan
4Joe Collins
5Ryan Spadola
WR31Jeremy Kerley
TE1Jeff Cumberland
2Hayden Smith
3Konrad Reuland
4Mike Shanahan
5Chris Pantale
K1Nick Folk