Elite 2025 QB Akili Smith Jr. commits to Oregon

Elite 2025 quarterback Akili Smith Jr. of San Diego (CA) Lincoln High announced his commitment to Oregon Monday afternoon.

The 6-foot-5, 205 pounder chose the Ducks over Florida and Michigan.

Smith on why he chose Oregon

“I think the environment and the real family aspect that they preach at Oregon. It feels like everyone is really closely knitted and always working together to achieve one common goal. And I want to be a part of that.”

Relationship with coaching staff + their plan for him

“I love my relationship with the coaches! I have a good relationship with coach lanning, coach Salkin, and coach stein. But if I had to say which one was the closest I’d say coach stein. He was the first coach that was recruiting me and has been a constant presence during this whole entire recruiting process! His plan is to build around me and hopefully build a class strong enough to contend for a national championship!”

The Golden State quarterback joins coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks’ top 3 class in the 2025 team rankings. He is accompanied by four-star wide receiver Adrian Wilson, four-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson, and others.

Smith ranks as the No. 88 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 6 quarterback and the No. 9 player in the state of California.

His father, Akili Smith Sr., was selected No.3 overall in the 1999 NFL Draft.

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $159K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.