The D.C. Defenders re-signed running back Abram Smith on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Abram Smith is five foot eleven and weighs 221 pounds. The 27-year-old from Abilene, Texas, re-signed with the Defenders on October 22, 2024. In 2025, Smith had 101 carries for 285 yards, one rushing touchdown, eight catches for 82 yards, and three kick returns for 60 yards in 10 games. In the playoffs, Smith had 23 carries for 127 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one catch for four yards, helping the Defenders win the UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers.
Smith signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He played three preseason games with 29 carries for 90 yards, and five catches for 33 yards. The Saints released him on August 28, 2022.
Next, the D.C. Defenders drafted Smith in the first round (1st pick) of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, Smith had 156 carries for 778 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 12 catches for 91 yards in 10 games for the Defenders, leading them to the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades.
In the title game, Smith had 13 carries for 90 yards, two touchdowns, and two catches for 28 yards. He was the XFL’s leading rusher and was named to the All-XFL Team. The Defenders released him on August 3, 2023. The Minnesota Vikings signed Smith on August 4, 2023. Smith had 14 carries for 54 yards, one catch for five yards, and one touchdown in three preseason games.
The Vikings released him on August 28, 2023. The Defenders re-signed Smith on October 19, 2023. However, he missed the 2024 season due to injury.
Collegiately, Smith played four seasons at Baylor (2018-21) with 269 carries for 1,647 yards, 13 touchdowns, 14 catches for 78 yards, one kick return for 13 yards, 56 tackles (37 solo, 19 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble in 42 games for the Bears. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 in 2021 after setting the new team’s single-season records for rushing (1,647) and nine 100-yard rushing games.
