Saturday, August 15, 2026
Courtesy of CU Athletics
Position
Running Back
Height
5'11"
Weight
170 lbs
Hometown
Orlando, Fla.
High School
Jones / Sacramento State
JaQuail Smith joined Colorado ahead of the 2026 season after a productive freshman year at Sacramento State.
Smith appeared in eight games for the Hornets in 2025 and rushed for 511 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. He topped 100 yards four times, highlighted by 135 yards and two touchdowns at Weber State. His move to Boulder reunited him with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, whose Go-Go system Smith played in at Sacramento State.
The Orlando product rushed for 1,805 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Jones High School, helping the Tigers reach Florida’s Class 4A state championship game. He also played varsity basketball.
Smith’s connection to Jones runs deeper than statistics. When signing with Sacramento State, he described the program as a family and said being part of it meant understanding that football was bigger than yourself and connected to the surrounding community.
Source: CU Athletics
