Hayden

Smith

A week shy of his 27th birthday, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Smith played college basketball for Metropolitan State in Denver before taking up rugby and making the U.S. national team. Smith has reportedly visited a “number of NFL teams,” and was hosted by Gang Green in early February. According to his personal coach, he has already signed with the Jets, though the team has yet to make anything official.

The former Australian rugby star earned a spot on the U.S. national team after playing Division 2 basketball at Metropolitan State in Denver. His background suggests a level of athleticism that could pay off as a long-term developmental project behind Dustin Keller. He won’t be guaranteed a roster spot this year.

Smith celebrated by running into the punter during a non-contact drill. Coach Rex Ryan nevertheless liked what he saw. “It’s crazy to think this guy never put on a helmet before today, never ran a route, never did anything like that,” Ryan said. “He certainly looks the part. I would not bet against this young man.” A D-II basketball player before rugby, Smith has plenty of athleticism. Unless the Jets are completely enamored with his potential, however, he’ll be facing long odds of making the roster.

Veteran WR Jason Hill was released in a corresponding move. Smith’s promotion means Jeff Cumberland (hand) will not play on Sunday against the Dolphins. Smith is an undrafted rookie out of Metropolitan State in Colorado.

Beat writer Conor Orr considers Smith the early favorite for the Jets’ No. 3 tight end job. Appearing on NFL Network in March, former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said Smith — who is a former rugby player — couldn’t be covered in practice. Smith checks in at an imposing 6-foot-8, 240 pounds.

Former Australian rugby star Smith spent most of 2012 on the Jets’ practice squad. He could be a player to monitor in 2013 training camp, Smith’s second year of organized football. “We could not cover this guy in practice,” Tannenbaum said. “It would drive Rex (Ryan) up a wall. We could not cover this guy. He got better and better, wound up dressing for five games, and actually caught a pass against the Chargers.” The Jets have a hole at tight end with Dustin Keller almost certain to leave in free agency.

It was the final cut the Jets had to make to get down to the required 75 players by Tuesday afternoon. Smith reportedly was shining in OTAs without the pads on. That ended quickly once contact practices started up.