Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2022
Phil Steele Second-Team All-ASUN ... played in all 12 games ... made nine starts ... led team with 62 catches ... totaled 750 receiving yards and six touchdowns ... returned eight punts for 173 yards ... caught nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs, against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 26) ... seven catches for 102 yards against Bowling Green (Sept. 10) ... recorded seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown against Austin Peay (Sept. 24) ... hauled in six passes for 77 yards against Southern Utah (Oct. 1) ... career-long 56-yard punt return against Charleston Southern (Sept. 17). 

IN 2021
Phil Steele Third-Team All-ASUN ... played in all 11 games while making six starts ... caught 38 passes for 391 yards and three touchdowns ... tallied a reception in all 11 games ... caught season-high six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville State (Nov. 20) ... season-high 56 receiving yards against Western Carolina (Sept. 4) ... four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown against Sam Houston (Nov. 13) ... 10-yard touchdown reception against Austin Peay (Sept. 25).

HIGH SCHOOL
Received honorable mention all-state recognition as a senior in 2020 after leading Grayson High School to a 14-0 record, a region championship and a state title … caught 42 passes for 903 yards and a school record 11 touchdowns as a senior … chosen first team all-county and first team all-region his senior season … also received honorable mention all-state recognition as a junior in 2019 after totaling 50 receptions for 723 yards and seven touchdowns … first team all-county and all-region for a team that went 11-2 and won a region championship … also had offers from Tennessee, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Akron, Kentucky, Minnesota, East Carolina, Troy, Buffalo, Tennessee Tech, Florida Atlantic, Samford and Chattanooga … chose EKU because “the coaches always showed love ever since they offered me and I feel like it’s the best place for me to strive”.
 
PERSONAL
Full name is Jaden Aaron Smith … son of Rodney and DJenane Smith … has three brothers – Jamal, AJ and Jordan … his brother Jordan played running back at Valdosta State … major is undecided.