Newbury Park (Calif.) QB, Michigan commit Brady Smigiel suffers knee injury

The 2025 season for Newbury Park (Calif.) has not exceeded expectations. An injury dampened the Panthers’ 31-21 win over Santa Barbara on Friday night.

After leaping over the goal line for a touchdown to give Newbury Park a 21-7 lead, senior quarterback Brady Smigiel had to helped off the field. On Saturday afternoon, multiple reports stated that Smigiel suffered a knee injury.

Smigiel is set to undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury, according to Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star. He finished the game with 116 passing yards and the lone rushing score, per MaxPreps.

The Michigan commit’s senior campaign got off to a rocky start as Newbury Park lost three of its first four games. He threw three interceptions in a season-opening loss to Millikan — which has since been overturned to a Newbury Park victory due to Millikan having an ineligible player. Smigiel then threw three picks again in a 28-27 win over Arroyo Grande.

Smigiel cleared 290 passing yards in each of the first four games of the year, though the stat lines didn’t always look great. He threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns in a loss to Pacifica, then completed just 18 of 45 pass attempts for 293 yards, three TDs and two INTs in a loss to St. Pius X – St. Matthias.

He had his most efficient outing of the season last week in a win over Ventura, completing 16 of 21 attempts for 268 yards, four touchdowns and a rushing score. The four-star has rushed for one touchdown in five of six games.

Newbury Park, now technically 4-2 on the year, is back home next week for a game against Calabasas. The Cougars currently rank as the No. 124 team in the Golden State, per the Massey Ratings. They now await a timeline on Smigiel’s return to the field.

Smigiel is the No. 172 overall prospect and No. 11 QB in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 21 senior in California.

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