Akili Smith, Jr. grew up around the game of football. His father was a star at Oregon before being drafted No. 3 in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Like his father, the younger Smith plays quarterback and knows all about the event he will compete in this week.
“Me and my dad have been talking about the Elite 11 for years,” Smith told On3. “We have talked about Bryce Young and other great quarterbacks who have been a part of the Elite 11 Finals before being great college players and playing in the NFL. I am honored to be a part of this event.”
The Oregon commit earned the invite to the Finals earlier this spring. That was a goal of his that he can check off. Now he is looking forward to competing with the Elite 11 roster and his goal is to be the best.
“I want to go compete and try to win the whole thing. It is not to be friendly but to compete and be in business mode and try to win it all. Being the best I can be has always been my mentality, so I want to compete with the other great quarterbacks and take care of business this week.
“The Elite 11 Finals is a great opportunity to showcase my skills and show what I know about football. It is the biggest event for quarterbacks to compete against each other and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
The No. 101 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking out of San Diego Lincoln has talked with Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein about the event. Stein knows some of the coaches that will be part of the Elite 11 Finals and Smith is excited about the coming days.
“I want to make coach Stein, coach Dan Lanning and Oregon proud this week. I am going out there to showcase my skills, get better, take the coaching and stay focused on being the best I can be.”
Smith sees Oregon building a ‘dynasty’ under Lanning
Smith is an Oregon legacy, he is an Oregon commit and he feels he is going to Oregon with great opportunities to win.
“I am super-confident in coach Lanning, coach Stein and the staff is doing at Oregon,” Smith said. “We came up a little short last season, but I feel very confident about being in the playoffs and competing for a national championship this season coming up. The team continues to get better and I am so excited to be part of the future there. Oregon is ready to make a big run under coach Lanning.”
Lanning is the leader of the program, and he and Smith have a great connection, but Stein is Smith’s guy.
“Now that coach Stein have the type of relationship we have, it is like talking to a friend. We are so comfortable with each other. He know I want to be there. I know he wants me there. We can talk about football, life, the program, family and it is great to have that type of relationship. Our relationship has really grown over the last year and it is only getting stronger.”
Oregon is No. 9 in the Team Recruiting Ranking and Smith wants to add on to make it even better when signing day comes in December.
“I am applying constant pressure. I am actively recruiting as much as I can and building those connections with other top Oregon recruits. Michael Fasusi is one, Dakorien Moore is another we really want, then you have DJ Pickett, Michael Terry and a few others.
“I am working as many guys as I can. I just tell them about the dynasty we are building at Oregon and how all of the great talent together can win multiple national championships. This will be a great recruiting class for Oregon.”
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