Stone Cole Smartt Bio
Stone Cole Smartt (born October 4, 1998) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Sacramento, California, Smartt attended Del Oro High School in Loomis, California, where he excelled as a dual-sport athlete in football and basketball before launching his collegiate football career. After playing quarterback at the junior college level and Old Dominion University, Smartt entered the 2022 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He joined the New York Jets in 2025, continuing his professional football journey in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Stone Smartt grew up in the Sacramento area of California, where he attended Del Oro High School in Loomis. During his high school football career, Smartt served as the starting quarterback and posted impressive numbers, throwing for 3,021 yards from scrimmage with 29 touchdowns. His leadership under center helped guide Del Oro to significant success at the state level.
In the 2015-16 season, Smartt led his team to a Division II-AA State title championship with a victory over Camarillo by a score of 16-13. The following year, in the 2016-17 season, he guided Del Oro to a Division 1-A state championship game appearance against San Clemente. Beyond football, Smartt was also an established point guard for the Del Oro boys basketball team, showcasing his versatility as a multi-sport athlete. His outstanding high school performance earned him a collegiate scholarship offer from Northern Arizona University, where he committed to continue his football career in 2017.
Path to American Football
Smartt began his college football journey at Northern Arizona University in 2017 as a true freshman. He appeared in just two games during his inaugural college season before making a strategic transfer to Riverside City College for the 2018 season. This move proved pivotal to his development as a player and set the stage for his future success at the collegiate level.
At Riverside City, Smartt experienced a breakout campaign, playing in 12 games and completing 177 out of 277 passes for 2,754 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also added 583 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on the ground. His exceptional performance led California junior college quarterbacks in passing efficiency. Smartt earned numerous accolades including First-Team JUCO All-American honors, SoCal Regional Playoff MVP, SCFA Offensive Player of the Year, and California State Offensive Player of the Year. He also broke school records for most completions in a season, highest completion percentage, most passing yards in a season and career, and most touchdown passes in a quarter. He was awarded the NJCAA Athletic Bureau Offensive Player of the Year honor in 2018.
Stone Cole Smartt Career
Los Angeles Chargers (2022–2024)
Following his collegiate career, Smartt entered the 2022 NFL Draft but went unselected. He subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, joining the organization that had expressed interest in his talents. During his three seasons with the Chargers, Smartt served primarily as a backup tight end and contributed on special teams, developing his craft in the professional ranks.
Throughout his tenure in Los Angeles, Smartt appeared in games as a rotational player, learning behind experienced tight ends on the roster. His versatility as an athlete, combined with his background as a former quarterback who transitioned to receiver and eventually tight end, provided him with a unique skill set for the position. He steadily carved out a role in the Chargers’ offense and special teams units during his time in Southern California.
New York Jets (2025–Present)
On March 17, 2025, Smartt signed with the New York Jets, marking a new chapter in his professional career. The move to New York presented an opportunity for Smartt to compete for a larger role within the Jets’ offensive scheme. He appeared in 15 games for New York during the 2025 season, recording seven receptions for 52 yards while continuing to contribute on special teams.
The transition to the Jets required Smartt to adapt to a new offensive system and build chemistry with a different quarterback room. His ability to play multiple positions on offense and contribute on special teams made him a valuable depth piece for the organization. The Jets valued his experience and versatility as they developed their roster for future seasons.
Playing Style and Strengths
Smartt brings a unique background to the tight end position, having played quarterback throughout his formative football years before transitioning to wide receiver and eventually tight end at the professional level. This positional journey has endowed him with exceptional ball-handling skills, spatial awareness, and playmaking ability that distinguish him from more traditional tight ends. His experience as a former quarterback gives him a strong understanding of offensive schemes and route concepts, making him a reliable option in the passing game. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 226 pounds, Smartt possesses the size needed to win contested catches and contribute as a blocker in the running game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his football career, Smartt has achieved several notable milestones that highlight his growth as a player. His breakout performance at Riverside City College in 2018, where he earned NJCAA First-Team All-American honors and was named the NJCAA Athletic Bureau Offensive Player of the Year, established him as a legitimate NFL prospect. Making the jump from undrafted free agent to contributing NFL player represents one of his most significant professional achievements. His transition from quarterback to tight end demonstrates his adaptability and football intelligence, allowing him to extend his career at the sport’s highest level.
Stone Cole Smartt Career Statistics
Smartt has compiled receiving statistics across his first three NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and his partial season with the New York Jets. His career totals reflect his role as a rotational tight end and special teams contributor at the professional level.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2024 NFL season, Smartt has recorded 31 career receptions for 380 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. His most productive contributions have come as a supplementary target in the passing game, with his versatility allowing him to fill various roles within offensive game plans. Smartt’s ability to contribute on special teams has been instrumental in maintaining his roster spot and earning playing time throughout his professional career.
College Statistics
At Riverside City College in 2018, Smartt posted impressive numbers, completing 177 of 277 passes for 2,754 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 583 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground. These performances established him as one of the top junior college quarterbacks in the country and earned him recognition as a First-Team All-American at the JUCO level.
| Competition | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2022–2024) | 31 | 380 | 1 |
Family
Family Background and Heritage
Smartt comes from a family with diverse cultural heritage. He is of Taiwanese descent through his grandmother, who was born in Taiwan. This family connection to Taiwan represents an important part of his personal background and identity. Smartt’s multicultural heritage highlights the international dimensions that can exist within American football families.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Smartt maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His athletic family includes his brother, J.T. Smartt, who has also pursued football at the collegiate level. Stone’s journey from high school quarterback to NFL tight end demonstrates his ability to adapt and evolve as a player, overcoming the challenge of changing positions to continue his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Smartt’s first full year with the New York Jets following his March signing. He appeared in 15 games for the Jets, demonstrating his reliability as a depth player at the tight end position. Smartt’s seven receptions for 52 yards reflected his role as a complementary piece in the Jets’ passing offense rather than a primary target.
The Jets utilized Smartt’s versatility throughout the season, deploying him in various offensive formations and special teams roles. His experience gained during three seasons with the Chargers proved valuable as he adapted to new coaching philosophies and offensive schemes in New York. The partnership between Smartt and the Jets’ coaching staff focused on maximizing his unique skill set while contributing to the team’s overall success.
Looking ahead, Smartt’s trajectory with the Jets depends on his continued development at the tight end position and his ability to earn a larger role in the offense. His positional flexibility, combined with his special teams contributions, provides value to the organization. The 2025 season served as a foundation for Smartt to establish himself within the Jets’ system and compete for increased opportunities in future campaigns.