JuJu Smith-Schuster, also known as John Sherman Smith-Schuster, is a prominent American football player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. With a successful college career at the University of Southern California, where he trained under coach Steve Sarkisian, Smith-Schuster quickly caught the attention of top teams. In 2017, he became the youngest player to be drafted that season when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him. As a wide receiver, he had an impressive debut season and has since established himself as one of the most highly regarded young talents in the game, setting records in his first two professional seasons.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: John Sherman Smith-Schuster
- Age: 27 Years, 27 Year Old Males
- Family: mother: Sammy Schuster
- Born Country: United States
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm), 6’1″ Males
- Grouping of People: Black American Football Player
- U.S. State: California, African-American From California
- City: Long Beach, California
- More Facts: education: University Of Southern California
College Career
JuJu Smith-Schuster began his football journey at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, where he played as a wide receiver for the Jackrabbit football team. He then went on to attend the University of Southern California (USC) and joined their college football team. Smith-Schuster quickly gained recognition as one of the most promising young football players at the college level. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Sarkisian, a former Atlanta Falcons player, he honed his skills and learned a great deal about the game.
In his debut season at USC, Smith-Schuster had a remarkable performance, recording four receptions for 123 yards in his first game. Throughout the season, he registered a total of 54 receptions in 13 games. The following season, he further showcased his talent with 89 receptions in 14 games, accumulating 1454 yards with an average of 16.3 yards per reception. Even in his third season, Smith-Schuster continued to excel, recording 70 receptions in 13 games.
Professional Career
After an impressive college football career, JuJu Smith-Schuster made the decision to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft in pursuit of a professional football career. He participated in the NFL Combine and caught the attention of the Dallas Cowboys, who arranged a private workout with him. Sports Illustrated and ESPN rated him as the fourth-best wide receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft, and football analyst Melvin Adam “Mel” Kiper Jr. included him in the top ten wide receivers list.
In the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith-Schuster was recruited by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 62nd player. He signed a four-year contract worth $4.19 million, including a signing bonus of $1.19 million and guaranteed salaries of $1.84 million. Joining the Steelers as the sixth wide receiver on the team, Smith-Schuster made his professional debut as a kick returner in the season’s opening victory over the Cleveland Browns. He went on to score his first career touchdown in the next game against the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the youngest player to do so since 1964.
Throughout his first season, Smith-Schuster continued to make an impact, recording 58 receptions in 14 games. In his second season, he surpassed his previous performance with 111 receptions and 1,426 receiving yards. He broke numerous records, including becoming the youngest receiver to reach 1,500 receiving yards and the first player to register two touchdowns of at least 97 yards. He also set records for the Pittsburgh Steelers, scoring the longest touchdown in the club’s history and becoming the youngest player to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Family & Personal Life
JuJu Smith-Schuster was born on November 22, 1996, in Long Beach, California. He was raised by his mother, Sammy Toa, and later adopted by his stepfather, Lawrence Schuster. Smith-Schuster officially added his stepfather’s surname to his name after turning 18 as a way of acknowledging his influence in his life.
As a child, Smith-Schuster was nicknamed “JuJu” by his aunt, a name that he embraced wholeheartedly.