The D.C. Defenders were able to waltz into the 2023 XFL championship game with relative ease. They posted a 9-1 regular season record and thrashed the Seattle Sea Dragons in the North Division championship game to earn the right to compete to be the new XFL’s first champion.
Much of the praise has been given to the Defenders’ defense thanks to its dominance over the course of the season. And offensively, praise has been heaped upon quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who has emerged as one of the XFL’s most efficient quarterbacks.
That said, there is another offensive player who has been a driving force in the Defenders’ wins this season. That would be running back Abram Smith.
Smith was a highly touted player entering the 2023 XFL season. The former Baylor running back was expected to be the team’s starter, and the hope was that he would turn into a quality option for the team.
He has achieved all of that and more; and in doing so, he established himself as arguably the best running back in the league.
But who exactly is Abram Smith? Here’s what to know about D.C.’s star running back as he looks to lead the Defenders to an XFL championship.
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Who is Abram Smith?
Abram Smith is a 24-year-old running back who is currently playing for the D.C. Defenders in the XFL. He was the No. 1 pick among skill position players during the XFL Draft and he has been a driving force behind the Defenders’ offense in 2023.
Smith led the XFL in carries, rushing yards and touchdowns while helping the Defenders post a 9-1 regular-season record. Now, he will look to carry them to a championship game win while working alongside quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.
Where did Abram Smith go to college?
Smith’s name will be familiar to Big 12 football fans. He played collegiately at Baylor from 2017 to 2021 both on offense and on defense. He began his career as a little-used running back — thanks, in part, to a 2017 ACL tear — but moved to linebacker for the 2020 college football season.
From there, Smith’s career began to take off. He racked up 48 tackles, five TFL and one sack in just five games for the Bears while showing that his 5-11, 221-pound frame was solid enough to let him hold up at linebacker at the next level.
However, Smith eventually moved back to running back for his senior year at Baylor, but he kept the muscle that he had added as part of his transition to linebacker. He believed that was the catalyst behind what ultimately ended up being a record-breaking senior season.
“I was definitely a more punishing runner,” Smith said of the double position switch in 2022, per ESPN. “You know, my mom always told me to be the hammer and not the nail. So I just love imposing my will or dropping my shoulder on a [defensive back] or linebacker. I can make people miss, but I still feel more comfortable when I’m running somebody over.”
Smith was able to rack up 1,601 rushing yards in 14 games as a senior in 2021. It was by far the most productive season of his college career, as you can see below.
Abram Smith college stats
At running back:
| Year | Games | Carries | Rushing yards | Rush TDs | Yards per carry |
| 2018 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 2.8 |
| 2019 | 7 | 8 | 35 | 1 | 4.4 |
| 2021 | 14 | 257 | 1,601 | 12 | 6.2 |
At linebacker:
| Year | Games | Tackles | TFL | Sacks |
| 2020 | 5 | 48 | 5 | 1 |
Abram Smith NFL career
Because of Smith’s strong numbers as a senior and NFL-ready body (5-11, 220), he was hopeful he would be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, his call never came, much to his disappointment.
“I was a little bit surprised, a little bit upset [to go undrafted],” Smith told ESPN. “But you can kind of take that as a chip on your shoulder and just come into camp and kind of prove your worth. So I think not being drafted kind of gave me that little edge even more than I already had.”
Smith didn’t stay available long after the draft ended. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Saints after running backs coach Joe Thomas reached out to him. From there, he fought for a spot on the New Orleans roster.
Ultimately, Smith wasn’t able to secure a roster spot of any kind with the Saints. He ran for 90 yards on 29 carries in the preseason and was among the team’s final cuts. He didn’t get scooped up anywhere else, so he decided to try to make a name for himself in the XFL.
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Abram Smith XFL stats
So far, things have worked out well for Smith in the XFL. As mentioned, he was a coveted playmaker in the league’s draft and he was the first skill position player selected as a result.
Smith’s high-end billing has proven to be justified. He has been the most consistent runner in the XFL and leads the league in all major rushing categories. He has been a great fit in offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss’ offense and head coach Reggie Barlow has been able to lean on him to bleed the clock in victories because of that.
But just how good has Smith been for the Defenders? Here’s what to know about his strong performance during the 2023 regular season.
| Category | Total | XFL rank |
| Carries | 158 | 1st |
| Rushing yards | 791 | 1st |
| Rush TDs | 7 | 1st |
| Yards per carry | 5.0 | 1st* |
| Longest run | 70 | 1st |
* Among RBs with 10-plus carries
In D.C.’s 37-21 win over Seattle in the XFL playoffs, Smith was largely bottled up by the Sea Dragons’ run defense. He recorded just 48 yards on 23 carries, but he managed to get a touchdown as well.
The Defenders will need Smith to bring his A-game to help spark the offense against what has been a solid Renegades defense at times this season.