Akili Smith

High School A consensus four-star recruit according to 247Sports, the 247Sports Composite and ESPN … Viewed as the No. 87 prospect nationally and the sixth-ranked pocket passer in the 2025 class by ESPN … Graded as the No. 15 overall quarterback nationally and the No. 18 recruit out of California by 247Sports, clocking in the No. 198 prospect in the 2025 cycle … Rated as both the No. 17 prospect out of California and the No. 17 quarterback nationally by the 247Sports composite, coming in as the No. 194 overall player in the 2025 class … Ranked the No. 18 QB nationally and the No. 3 pro-style signal caller from California as well as the No. 212 overall prep by Rivals … One of 21 quarterbacks invited to the Elite 11 Finals … Earned a spot on the Polynesian Bowl roster … Threw for over 6,900 yards as a high school starter … Completed 132-of-207 passes for 2,039 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading Lincoln to at least the Division 1-AA regional finals … Threw four touchdowns in a game twice during senior campaign, including in a 21-of-31, 371-yard performance to open the season against Arbor View … Rushed for a pair of touchdowns during final year … Completed 148-of-232 passes for 2,431 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior … Named the Silver Pigskin Underclassmen of the Year in 2023 … All-CIF selection … Threw for a season-high four scores against both Bishop Alemany and St. Bonaventure, including a 99-yard touchdown pass against SBHS … Season-high 331 yards through the air in a 30-0 win over Madison … Played sophomore season at Vista Murrieta, throwing for a school-record 29 touchdowns … Completed 211-of-314 passes for 2,432 yards, only throwing four interceptions … Threw for 259 yards and five touchdowns against Murrieta Valley … Season-high 302 yards and added four passing touchdowns in a win over Murrieta Mesa … Threw for three scores in the playoff game against Bishop Diego … Father (Akili Smith Sr.) played quarterback at Oregon from 1997-98 before being drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals … Also recruited by Boston College, California, Colorado, Florida, Fresno State, Grambling State, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, San Diego State, San Jose State, SMU, Utah and Washington.