​Byron’s Jaymeson Smith was in no rush to pick a college football program. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound defensive end/tight end had a quartet of Division II offers on the table and a single Division I possibility in the mix. Yet he found himself leaning toward one destination in particular. When the University of Minnesota Duluth coaching staff came through with an appealing offer, the decision felt almost inevitable. The Bulldogs had one defensive end spot left for their 2027 class, and they wanted the rising senior from Byron High School to fill it.
Smith’s recruitment timeline accelerated quickly. “I’m glad to have the process behind me,” he said. “I could have waited a bit longer, but UMD was only taking one more defensive end, so the choice became easier.” He announced his commitment to the Bulldogs, under head coach Curt Wiese and defensive coordinator Trey Dill, on June 26, just a little over a week after Byron attended the first of three Bulldogs team camps hosted in June. At that camp, Byron captured the King of the Hill title, a matchup format where teams try to sustain possession by gaining five yards or by stopping the opponent from gaining five yards in a single play.
“I really like the culture they’ve built there, and I love that area of Minnesota. It’s beautiful up there,” Smith said. “I talked a lot with coach Dill, and all the coaches really stood out to me. I spoke with them extensively at camp, but most of my conversations happened during their Junior Day. I appreciated how they made Junior Day more personalized, allowing us to get to know the coaches on a more intimate level.”
Next year, Smith will head to Duluth where he envisions filling a versatile role as a defensive end/edge rusher. The Bulldogs indicated they’re excited about his length and height, and his potential to shine as a pass rusher while also possessing the speed to play outside linebacker and cover tight ends. “They’re looking at me primarily as a 2-point stance, coming off the edge, mainly as a pass rusher,” Smith explained. “But I can also work in the flats and handle an edge/linebacker hybrid role. It probably won’t involve a lot of inside movement along the line.”
In addition to UMD, Smith held offers from the University of Northern Iowa (Division I) and several Division II programs, including Southwest Minnesota State, the University of Sioux Falls, and Wayne State University. Last season, he posted 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks as Byron finished 9-1 and advanced to the Section 1, Class 4A championship game, where they lost by just three points to rival Kasson-Mantorville.
As he looks ahead to his senior year, Smith hopes to bulk up toward 220 pounds, a goal that aligns with both his development plan and the Bulldogs’ projection for his role on the field. He is excited about contributing to a program that values his length, versatility, and potential as a dynamic edge rusher, while also keeping the door open to an offensive role if circumstances arise. With the commitment secured, Smith’s focus is on continued growth, preparation, and making the most of his final high school season before starting the next chapter in Duluth.