A former Auburn defensive back is continuing his football career. On Monday, it was announced that former Tigers safety Smoke Monday would play this spring for the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League.
The Aviators are one of three new UFL teams for the 2026 season that begins this March, and will be coached by former Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. The UFL will play its third season after the USFL and XFL merged to create one league after their 2023 seasons.
Monday had a solid career for the Auburn Tigers from 2018-21. Over his four seasons with Auburn, Monday was a starter for three of those years and was selected to the Second-team All-SEC in 2020. That year, Monday had 73 total tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. One of those interceptions resulted in a 100-yard pick-six in a 30-17 win over Tennessee. However, that was not his most memorable interception return for a score. In the 2019 Iron Bowl, Monday intercepted Alabama quarterback Mac Jones for a 29-yard touchdown to give Auburn a 17-10 lead with 5:36 left in the first half. The Tigers won that day 48-45, and it is the last time they defeated Alabama. Monday also had four tackles and a sack in the game.
Monday finished his Auburn career with 172 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and six sacks. He also recorded five interceptions with three returns for touchdowns. After the 2021 season, he went undrafted and signed with the New Orleans Saints. He would suffer a torn ACL before the season, and the Saints would release Monday. In 2024, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, but he was released in June. In 2025, he played for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League. In five games, Monday collected 20 tackles and one interception.
#UFL All-Name team gets a new addition with the Columbus Aviators signing Smoke Monday from Auburn 👀 pic.twitter.com/F4OsLTyG0Ihttps://t.co/2fE0qGzaaj
— United Football Media (@The_UFM) January 27, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: UFL's Columbus Aviators sign former Auburn DB Smoke Monday
