Yannick Smith

As a freshman, Smith was largely absent from the game plan for much of the season due to the talent the Pirates possessed at the wide receiver position, slotting in behind Chase Sowell, Anthony Smith and Winston Wright on the depth chart. All in all, he finished with 25 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns. However, we said "much" of the season, because things changed a bit down the stretch. Over the last four games of the campaign, Smith hauled in 17 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns on the heels of Sowell's injury. It was an encouraging way for a freshman receiver to end the year, and Sowell and Wright departed the program via the portal and graduation this offseason. One would assume Smith is in line for a bigger role in 2025 as a result. The Smith duo should post sizable numbers in the offense in 2025, and Yannick is a downfield threat who should have significant weekly upside, especially with another offseason to work with returning quarterback Katin Houser. Read Past Outlooks