Jimmy Smith, Jr. was raised in Jackson, MS and attended Callaway High School where played football and was named All-Conference and All-State. Smith, Jr. attended Jackson State University from 1987-1991. His junior season he led the team with 40 receptions for 877 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was named 2nd team All-SWAC and had career stats of 110 receptions for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Smith, Jr. was selected 36th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1992 NFL Draft. He was with the Cowboys for two seasons, winning two Super Bowls. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in February of 1995. Over his 12 seasons with the Jaguars, he played in 178 games and had 862 receptions for 12,287 yards and 67 touchdowns. He had five-straight Pro Bowl appearances and was a two-time 2nd team All Pro by AP. Jimmy is the all-time leading receiver in Jaguars franchise history and set 31 franchise records during his career in Jacksonville.

In addition to being inducted into the MS Sports Hall of Fame, Jimmy is also a member of the Callaway High School Hall of Fame, Jackson State All-Century Football Team, Pride of the Jaguars Ring of Honor, and the Jackson State Athletic Hall of Fame!