Oregon 4-star QB commit Akili Smith Jr. earns Elite 11 Finals Invitation
San Diego Lincoln four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. headlines Oregon’s 2025 recruiting class, not only as one of the top passers in the nation, but also as a touted legacy recruit in Eugene.
The hype surrounding the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder continues to grow, as he added another notch to his belt on Sunday. Smith is now the latest to receive an invitation to the Elite 11 Finals this summer in Los Angeles following an impressive showcase at the Las Vegas regional.
There are few higher honors for high school quarterbacks than being invited to the Elite 11 Finals. The event, which will celebrate its 25th year in 2024, brings together the country’s elite signal-callers for three days of competition and training in Los Angeles.
Elite 11 alumni include Carson Palmer, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Tim Tebow, and more recently Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and more. Last year’s Elite 11 Finals featured more than a dozen of the top 20 quarterbacks in the final On3 Industry Rankings, including each of the top five players at the position.
Smith joins 18 previous invitees: USC commit Julian Lewis, Ohio State pledge Tavien St. Clair, Notre Dame commit Deuce Knight, Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet, Texas commit K.J. Lacey, SMU commit Keelon Russell, Oklahoma commit Kevin Sperry, Florida State pledge Tramell Jones, North Carolina commit Bryce Baker, Missouri commit Matt Zollers, Georgia pledge Ryan Montgomery, TCU commit Ty Hawkins, Tennessee pledge George MacIntyre, Nebraska commit TJ Lateef, uncommitted four-star Malik Washington, Iowa State commit Alex Manske, Mississippi State pledge KaMario Taylor and Miami pledge Luke Nickel.
Smith remains solid with the Ducks
Earlier this spring, On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons caught up with Smith — who remains firm in his commitment to Dan Lanning and the Ducks. The son of former Ducks QB and NFL draft pick Akili Smith, Smith Jr. is ready to leave his own legacy in Eugene.
“I feel very comfortable with my decision,” Smith told Simmons in March. “Coaches are always telling me how much they want me out there, making me feel like I’m at home with my decision. It’s a great thing to be committed this early.”
“My dad really didn’t have anything to do with my decision, honestly,” he added. “All of the coaches were just always on me, talking to me, making sure that I knew that they wanted me there. It was a family aspect kind of thing, it was just kind of like home when I went up there for my Junior Day.”
Smith is the No. 81 overall prospect and No. 9 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s one of six recruits currently pledged to the Ducks, as of May 5.
“I think it’s going to be a dynasty for years to come. I’m super excited, it’s going to be great. We’re going to do big things at Oregon,” he said.