Oregon four-star commit Akili Smith Jr. feels "solid" with his initial commitment amid Ducks' hunt for a second QB

Four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. made headlines this summer by committing to the Oregon Ducks. While many seniors keep their options open despite early commitments, Smith remains loyal to his decision.

Oregon also extended a scholarship offer to Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, a fellow four-star quarterback committed to Cal. Despite this, Smith is unfazed about the potential competition in the quarterback room.

"I feel very solid about my decision with Oregon," Smith told SI. "Even if (Sagapolutele) would commit to Oregon, I would still have to compete with all of the other quarterbacks that are already there as well as him. So that wouldn’t affect my commitment at all."

Besides Sagapolutele, Oregon is reportedly in the race for Jamar Malone, another four-star quarterback out of Gainesville High School in Arizona. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Ducks have a 28.9% chance of landing Malone.

The Ducks' 2025 recruiting class has 16 committed players, including blue-chip prospects such as wide receiver Dakorien Moore, safety Trey McNutt, and wide receiver Dallas Wilson. This cycle appears to be promising, ranked No. 7 in the nation.

Smith’s decision may be fueled by a deep family connection to Oregon. His father, Akili Smith Sr., starred as the Ducks’ quarterback in the late 1990s before being drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Akili Smith Jr. intends to visit Oregon for the Ducks game against Ohio State on Oct. 11.

Akili Smith Jr.'s senior season performance

Despite the Lincoln Hornets’ 28-19 loss to JSerra Catholic on Sept. 13, Akili Smith Jr. managed to rush for 50 yards on five carries. Just a week later, in the Hornets' 49-19 win over Sacramento Grant, he responded to an early 7-0 deficit with a 61-yard strike to Isaiah Grant by hitting him perfectly in stride for a touchdown.

Over five games this season, Smith has compiled: 1,111 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns and a 92.5 quarterback rating. He has also contributed 121 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Greg Biggins of 247Sports noted that Smith's ability to "thread the needle" is one of the primary reasons Oregon’s offensive coordinator, Will Stein, took his commitment. ESPN has ranked him the No. 87 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 9 quarterback in the 2025 class and the No. 6 recruit in California.