Oregon is coming off a major recruiting weekend in Eugene after hosting one of their headliners in the 2025 recruiting class in San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln quarterback Akili Smith Jr. He spoke with Ducks Digest about the trip and the latest on the recruiting trail.
One of the highlights for Smith was getting to spend time with his future coaches and learn more about the formula that went into making Bo Nix one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
"We went over a bunch of plays with Coach (Jordan) Salkin and Coach (Will) Stein. It was amazing to be over there and see all those plays," he said. "They go through a lot of preparation with their guys and I see why Bo Nix, great player, he's had a lot of help from coaches and everything. It's an amazing experience to be up there and see what they go through on a day to day basis."
The Duck legacy spoke very highly of his relationships with both Stein and Salkin.
"Every single time I see him (Stein) it's just like amazing. Also Coach Salkin, he calls me I think the most honestly. Coach Stein and Coach Salkin are like head and head right there. Me and Coach Salkin talk about plays all the time. My relationship with him is amazing. I'm blessed to be in the position I am right now."
Oregon's 2025 class is off to a strong start and it helps to have an elite quarterback already in the fold like Smith. With four commitments, he's got a long list of names he's recruiting to join him in Eugene.
"We're trying to get a couple more. DaKorien Moore, big push for him. That would be a big pickup. Obviously, he's committed to LSU but the coaches and everybody really want to get him on board.
"And then a bunch of other guys DJ Pickett, Faheem Delane. I'm trying to keep in contact with those guys and make sure that we get those guys committed to the University of Oregon to build this class to be the best it can be."
Smith is more confident than ever in the direction of the Oregon program and thinks the Ducks can do big things in 2024.
"Besides that year Mariota did it and went to the national championship I think this could be our year to go to the national championship and win it," he said. "So I'm really looking forward to the future of Oregon football. Coach Lanning assured everybody that he's staying for the next bunch of years. So it's looking good. The coaches are always recruiting. They always make sure they have their guys."
The San Diego product has bulked up to 225 pounds this offseason and still checks in at a verified 6'5" as he prepares for another big year with the Hornets.
He's staying busy this offseason and will compete in seven-on-7 tournaments across the country with his team Raw Miami.
"Just doing seven-on-seven with Raw Miami. We're gonna go to a bunch of tournaments, OT7 that one big one in Florida with all the big guys up there. And then we're gonna probably just be training in the offseason getting ready for the senior season."
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