2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Aaron Smith, DB, University of New Mexico

• Name: Aaron Smith
• Position: DB
• College: University of New Mexico
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: upnextaaron
• Instagram: upnextaaron

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft? 

What makes me a top safety prospect is my positional versatility, high football IQ, and attention to detail. I play fast with urgency and attention to detail. I am the most vocal communicator on the field and a great tackler who can play with range, fit downhill in the box, cover tight ends and bigger slots, and contribute immediately on special teams. I have the upmost confidence in how I prepare, how I study offenses, and how I correct my mistakes rep by rep. My passion shows up through my preparation, not my emotions.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I would describe myself as a natural competitor who is never scared of failure, and delusionally passionate with the process rather than the result. I am genuinely in love with the chase… How you have to prepare, how you have to study, how you have to improve 1% every single day. What separates me is that I have always lived in pressured environments for my whole life so I am used to high expectations, and being accountable for everything in my control every day. I am consistent, disciplined, coachable, leads by example, and I take pride and ownership into any role I am given. If you are looking for someone who is satisfied with good enough that is not me.If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 
Homelessness.

Who was your role model? 
My Pops.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

New England Patriots

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 
Andrew Speech

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Those who want things but dont understand what it takes to get those things, wasting reps, and lack of attention to detail. I believe it should always be harder during the week rather than on game day. Every rep counts and every rep matters, especially in the back end.Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Mrs. Saito, English Long Beach Poly

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 
Losing my pops to cancer entering my second year in Juco.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?
American Deli

What is your favorite snack food? 

Smoothies

What is your degree in? 
Business Administration 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 
Jesus Christ, My Pops, and Kobe Bryant. Jesus to deepen my faith and to help better understand his sacrifice, My Pops to say thank you and because I know he still had so much knowledge and game to give me, and Kobe because I try to mirror my approach to football with his commitment to preparation.

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is that I can be too much of a perfectionist. At Mt. Sac Juco, I would beat myself up instead of immediately moving on to the next snap. I learned that at this level, the key is that the next play is the most important and to control what I can control. Now I channel that same intensity into quick adjustments, communication, and playing the next play with confidence. It is still something I work on, but it’s made me a lot more consistent.