Jabari Small
{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jabari Small
| image =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|1|31}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 198
| highlights =
| high_school = Briarcrest Christian School {{nowrap|(Eads, Tennessee)}}
| college = Tennessee (2020–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| pastteams =
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
| status =
| pfr = SmalJa00
}}
Jabari Mikal Small (born January 31, 2002) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent.
Early life and high school
Small attended high school at Briarcrest.{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Vols Jabari Small, Gabe Jeudy-Lally sign with Tennessee Titans as undrafted free agents |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/05/10/jabari-small-gabe-jeudy-lally-tennessee-titans-vols-football-nfl-undrafted-free-agents/73539163007/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} In Small's sophomore season, he hauled in 22 receptions for 266 yards and three touchdowns.{{cite web |last1=Varlas |first1=John |title=Briarcrest 2020 standout Jabari Small picks up Volunteer offer |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/06/25/briarcrest-2020-football-standout-jabari-small-picks-up-volunteer-offer/733328002/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=12 April 2024}} In Small's junior season, he rushed for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns.{{cite web |last1=Ducote |first1=Nick |title=Memphis-area running back commits to Ole Miss |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2019/07/29/memphis-area-running-back-commits-ole-miss/ |website=WLBT.com |date=29 July 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}} During the quarterfinals in the playoffs in Small's senior season, he scored four touchdowns but Briarcrest lost to Ensworth High School.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Khari |title=Jabari Small scores 4 TDs but Briarcrest falls in quarterfinals for eighth year in a row |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/11/15/tssaa-football-playoffs-briarcrest-jabari-small-ensworth/2561866001/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Coming out of high school, Small was rated as a three star recruit the 12th best all purpose back and the 22nd best recruit in the state of Tennessee.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Khari |title=Briarcrest's Jabari Small commits to Ole Miss |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/07/28/ole-miss-football-briarcrest-rb-jabari-small-commits/1852009001/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=28 July 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Small initially decided to commit to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Khari |title=Ole Miss football: Briarcrest's Jabari Small has Rebels in his blood |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/08/30/ole-miss-football-recruiting-jabari-small-briarcrest-sec/2119253001/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=30 August 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Wayne Bratton |first1=Michael |title=Tennessee lands second Memphis commitment in as many days as running back Jabari Small announces his pledge |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/jabari-small-briarcrest-christian-running-back/ |website=Saturday Down South |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}} However, just a few months later in December, Small decided to de-commit from the Rebels.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Khari |title=Briarcrest's Jabari Small decommits from Ole Miss |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/12/02/ole-miss-rebels-football-briarcrest-jabari-small-decommits/2590931001/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=2 December 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Ultimately, Small decided to flip his commitment to play for the Tennessee Volunteers.{{cite magazine |last1=Martin |first1=Brandon |title=Vols Secure Commitment from All Purpose Back Jabari Small |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/vr2/vols-secure-commitment-from-all-purpose-back-jabari-small |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Khari |title=Why Briarcrest three-star RB Jabari Small flipped from Ole Miss to Tennessee Vols football |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/12/10/jabari-small-commits-tennessee-football-recruiting-ut-vols-briarcrest/2628323001/ |website=The Commercial Appeal |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=12 April 2024}}
College career
In Small's freshman season in 2020, he carried the ball 26 times for 117 yards while also bringing in four receptions for 24 yards.{{cite web |title=Jabari Small 2020 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jabari-small-1/gamelog/2020/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=12 April 2024}} During the 2021 season, Small rushed for 792 yards and nine touchdowns on 141 carries.{{cite web |last1=Van Haaften |first1=Reece |title=Small named to Doak Walker Award watch list |url=https://www.wate.com/sports/orange-and-white-nation/small-named-to-doak-walker-award-watch-list/ |website=WATE.com |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=12 April 2024}} In week three of the 2022 season, Small suffered an arm injury after rushing twice for 14 yards.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Mike |title=Jabari Small goes through full practice for Tennessee football ahead of Florida game |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2022/09/20/jabari-small-health-injury-tennessee-football-florida/69506426007/ |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=20 September 2022 |access-date=12 April 2024}} During the 2022 season, Small ran for 734 yards and 13 touchdowns on 157 carries, while also notching 12 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web |last1=Ramey |first1=Grant |title=What Tennessee RB Jabari Small said entering the NFL Draft, opting out of Citrus Bowl |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-football-running-back-opt-out-citrus-bowl-nfl-draft-jabari-small/ |website=On3.com |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Small finished the 2023 season rushing 95 times for 475 yards and two touchdowns, while also bringing in seven receptions for 40 yards.{{cite magazine |last1=Sisk |first1=Caleb |title=Jabari Small Opting Out Of Bowl Game |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/jabari-small-opting-out-of-bowl-game |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=27 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}} After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Small decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.{{cite web |last1=Sparks |first1=Adam |title=Tennessee football's Jabari Small opts out of Citrus Bowl |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/12/26/jabari-small-tennessee-football-opt-out-citrus-bowl/71757843007/ |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=26 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}}{{cite magazine |last1=Crowell |first1=Evan |title=Jabari Small Officially Declares For NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/jabari-small-declares-for-nfl-draft |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Small also decided to opt of the Volunteers Bowl Game versus Iowa.{{cite magazine |last1=Crowell |first1=Evan |title=Jabari Small Leaves Heartfelt Note To Tennessee |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/jabari-small-leaves-heartfelt-note-to-tennessee |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=31 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Bricker |first1=Grant |title=Jabari Small writes thank you note to Tennessee football, officially declaring for 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/jabari-small-writes-thank-you-note-to-tennessee-football-officially-declaring-for-2024-nfl-draft/ |website=Saturday Down South |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 8 3/4
| weight = 198
| dash = 4.62
| ten split = 1.55
| twenty split = 2.57
| shuttle = 4.34
| vertical = 36
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 9
| bench = 10
| arm span = 29 7/8
| hand span = 8 3/4
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1045174&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Jabari Small College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=June 27, 2024}}
}}
Small signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024.{{cite web|title=Titans Agree to Terms With 16 Undrafted Free Agents, Including RBs Dillon Johnson (Washington) and Jabari Small (Tennessee)|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-agree-to-terms-with-16-undrafted-free-agents-including-rbs-dillon-johnson-washington-and-jabari-small-tennessee|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=May 10, 2024}} He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-ahead-of-nfl-s-deadline-x2824|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Titans Add 12 Players to the Team's Practice Squad|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-12-players-to-the-team-s-practice-squad|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 28, 2024}}
Small signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee on January 6, 2025.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign 12 Players to Futures Contracts|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-12-players-to-futures-contracts|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=January 6, 2025}} On May 14, Small was waived by the Titans.{{cite web |last1=Wyatt |first1=Jim |title=Titans Awarded LB Anfernee Orji, a Former Vanderbilt Star, Off Waivers From Saints |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-awarded-lb-anfernee-orji-a-former-vanderbilt-star-off-waivers-from-saints |website=tennesseetitans.com |access-date=15 May 2025}}
Personal life
Small's father Eddie was a wide receiver for the Ole Miss Rebels, while his two uncles Tony and O.J. were both all SEC wide receivers for Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators.{{cite web |last1=Sparks |first1=Adam |title=Where did Tennessee football find its next 'Alvin Kamara'? From a family of SEC receivers |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/08/05/jabari-small-tennessee-football-running-back-sec-receivers-family/5421478001/ |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=12 April 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/jabari-small/19044 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{Tennessee Volunteers football rushing leaders navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Small, Jabari}}
Category:American football running backs
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Players of American football from Shelby County, Tennessee