Oregon Football Recruiting: Akili Smith Jr. Had the Perfect Reaction to Championship Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dale Bliss | Last updated Nov 27, 2024 8:19 AM ET

Above all else, you want a quarterback who's accurate, athletic and a winner. Akili Smith Jr. checks all three.

He's 6-5, 205 and still growing into his body. He can drive the ball downfield, extend or make plays with his legs, and zip the ball 30 yards downfield on a flat line between two defenders. He understands how to use trajectory and read defenses. He has confidence in his arm. He's intelligent and coachable.

All that is more important than star ratings, though his star ratings are plenty high. Dan Lanning and Will Stein chose the 2025 quarterback with upside, the guy who plays a top schedule in the Southern Section of California High School football, QB-1 at the program that spawned Marcus Allen and Terrell Davis.

When Akili Smith Jr. and the Lincoln Hornets beat Cathedral Catholic 31-13 to win the Open Division title last weekend, Smith acted like he'd been there before.

Redemption… #thehive pic.twitter.com/ioy0XlDc0O
— Akili Smith (@akili_smith) November 24, 2024

As a junior last season the 4-star prospect and Top 200 player completed 148 of 234 passes (63.8%) for 2,431 yards with 25 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He's mobile and throws well on the run, gaining 196 yards and 3 TD while averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

He opened 2024 with a five-touchdown game against Arbor View of Las Vegas, Nevada. Standing tall in the pocket, he can make all the throws. His father gave him a tremendous foundation but he's becoming his own man.