Jabari Small Bio
Jabari Mikal Small is an American professional football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 31, 2002, in Memphis, Tennessee, Small played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in May 2024 and later joined the Detroit Lions organization in 2025. Small comes from a distinguished football family with multiple relatives who competed at the collegiate level in the Southeastern Conference.
Early Life and Background
Small grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tennessee. During his sophomore season at Briarcrest, he demonstrated his versatility by catching 22 receptions for 266 yards and scoring three touchdowns through the air. His junior year marked a breakthrough as he rushed for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, establishing himself as a dynamic offensive weapon.
In his senior season, Small delivered a standout playoff performance, scoring four touchdowns during the quarterfinals against Ensworth High School, though Briarcrest fell short in that matchup. Coming out of high school, recruiting services rated him as a three-star prospect, ranked as the 12th best all-purpose back in his class and the 22nd best recruit in the state of Tennessee.
Path to American Football
Initially, Small committed to play college football at the University of Mississippi for the Ole Miss Rebels. However, he de-committed from the Rebels in December before ultimately deciding to flip his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he would spend four seasons developing his craft at the collegiate level.
Small arrived at Tennessee in 2020 as a freshman and immediately contributed, carrying the ball 26 times for 117 yards while also catching four passes for 24 yards. His progression continued through his sophomore and junior seasons, where he emerged as a reliable contributor in the Volunteers backfield, demonstrating his ability to both run between the tackles and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield.
Jabari Small Career
College Career (2020–2023)
Small’s sophomore campaign came during the 2021 season when he established himself as a featured back, rushing for 792 yards and nine touchdowns on 141 carries. His performance helped anchor the Tennessee rushing attack as the Volunteers competed in the Southeastern Conference.
The 2022 season saw Small encounter adversity early, suffering an arm injury in week three after just two carries for 14 yards. Despite the setback, he returned to form and finished the season with 734 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 157 carries. He also showcased his receiving abilities with 12 receptions for 106 yards and two additional touchdowns. His 2023 senior season concluded with 95 carries for 475 yards and two touchdowns, along with seven catches for 40 yards. After the season ended, Small declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and opted out of the Volunteers Bowl Game appearance against Iowa.
Tennessee Titans (2024)
Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Small signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent on May 10, 2024. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts. The Titans re-signed him to their practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the organization. On January 6, 2025, Small signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee, indicating the team’s interest in retaining him for the following season. However, he was waived by the Titans on May 14, 2025.
Detroit Lions Era (2025–Present)
Small joined the Detroit Lions on July 18, 2025, signing with his third NFL franchise. He participated in training camp with the Lions but was waived on August 10, 2025, as the team made its final roster decisions. The Lions re-signed Small to their practice squad on December 1, 2025, providing him an opportunity to continue his professional development within their system. On January 5, 2026, Small signed another reserve/future contract with Detroit, securing his place on the roster for the 2026 season.
Running Style and Strengths
Small is listed at 5 feet 9 inches and 198 pounds, giving him a compact build suited for eluding defenders in confined spaces. His college career demonstrated versatility, as he contributed both as a traditional runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. His experience in the SEC against top collegiate competition provided him with exposure to complex defensive schemes and high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Small’s career highlights are his 1,118-yard junior season at Briarcrest Christian School and his 13-touchdown sophomore campaign at Tennessee in 2022. His journey from a three-star high school recruit to an NFL roster player, despite going undrafted, represents his persistence and ability to catch the attention of professional scouts through his collegiate performances.
Jabari Small Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Small comes from a football family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Eddie Small, played wide receiver for the Ole Miss Rebels, the same program his son initially committed to before ultimately choosing Tennessee. His uncles, Tony Small and O.J. Small, both achieved all-conference honors in the SEC, with Tony playing for the Georgia Bulldogs and O.J. suiting up for the Florida Gators. This family legacy provided Small with a foundation of football knowledge and competitive expectations from an early age.
Personal Life
Growing up in Memphis, Small was immersed in football culture through his family’s connections to the sport. His father’s collegiate career at Ole Miss and the subsequent success of his uncles at other SEC programs created a pathway and expectation for Small to pursue football at the highest levels of competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Small as he navigated between NFL organizations. After beginning the year with the Tennessee Titans organization, he joined the Detroit Lions in July 2025. Following his initial release during training camp, Small was re-signed to Detroit’s practice squad in December, allowing him to continue working within the Lions system and maintain his development trajectory. His ability to earn practice squad spots with two different franchises demonstrates the value teams place on his skill set and potential.
Small’s experience with the Titans and Lions provided him with exposure to different offensive schemes, coaching philosophies, and team cultures. The Lions’ decision to re-sign him to a reserve/future contract in January 2026 signals their continued investment in his development as they evaluate his long-term potential within their organization.