Will Smith thanks JD Arteaga, Miami for 'the opportunity of a lifetime'

Miami Hurricanes pitcher Will Smith saw his college career come to an end with the team’s loss in the Super Regional to Louisville. A transfer who only spent one season with the program, Miami and head coach JD Arteaga clearly had a profound impact on him in that time.

After the game, Smith took the time to publicly thank Arteaga and Miami for the opportunity to pitch there. He did so while crying, and clearly trying to hold back the emotions that come with his season and playing career coming to a close.

“That guy gave me the opportunity of a lifetime,” Will Smith said through tears. “I can’t thank him enough, man. He means so much to me, and he means so much to the rest of the players. It’s not just me, man. He loves every single player and every single player loves him.”

In his one season at Miami, Smith appeared in 25 games and had a 4.30 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched. He pitched in one game in the Regional and one game in the Super Regional. That Super Regional appearance came in their final game, a losing effort. Smith would pitch 2.2 innings for the Hurricanes in the effort, allowing one earned run while striking out four batters.

That Super Regional effort wasn’t enough and Miami lost the game 3-2 in what was a win-or-go-home game three. It sent the Cardinals to Omaha, while Arteaga and Miami are looking at the offseason. Smith, for his part, knows he’s looking at the next journey in his own life.

“It’s easy to play when you’ve got a guy like that. So, I can’t thank him enough or the University of Miami enough. I’ll be a Hurricane for life,” Smith said. “And I’m sure I’ll annoy JD next year when I’m working at State Farm and texting him, ‘Why are we shifting?’ But, unbelievable experience and I can’t thank him or the university enough.”

This praise of JD Arteaga is nothing new for Will Smith. Following the Regional, Smith was again emotional, though notably happier overall. He took the time at that press conference to cut in and praise his head coach there as well.

“I’d like to make a comment,” Smith said after the Regional. “He’s being really humble right now. This is one of the greatest coaches I’ve ever freaking played for, and he’s going to be coaching for a long time, man.”

Prior to coming to Miami, Will Smith had a long career at Coastal Carolina. He pitched from 2020 through the 2024 season and was a part of some excellent teams. Still, it’s clear that his time with Miami has had a profound impact on him.