2025 4-star QB Akili Smith Jr. commits to Oregon: 'It means the world to me'

There was no program recruiting San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. that he was more familiar with than Oregon.

As the son of former Ducks star and NFL top-5 pick Akili Smith, Akili Jr. grew up in Ducks gear and has been around the program on multiple occasions. This past weekend marked another visit for him and his family to Eugene, but this one was different.

On Saturday, right before the Ducks’ football camp, Akili Jr. — The No. 8 passer in the 2025 class — committed to playing for Dan Lanning and Co. On Monday, he publicly announced for the Ducks.

“It means the world to me to be committed to Oregon,” he told On3. “It has always been my dream to be a Duck. “Since I have been able to walk, my dad has had me in Oregon stuff, I have watched a lot of Oregon games and this is a dream coming true. I get to carry on my dad’s legacy, start my own legacy and at the same time play for a great program like Oregon and push for my dreams to reach the NFL.”

Smith’s most recent visit sealed the deal

A few months ago, Smith was contemplating waiting until after his junior season to make his commitment. He visited the Ducks in April though, and that trip really impressed him. Last week ahead of his most recent visit, he thought about committing while he was in Eugene, but it wasn’t until he got on campus that he knew for certain he wanted to make it official.

“It was really about the feeling I had when I got there,” he said. “As soon as I got on campus, hung out with the coaches a little bit and once again saw how beautiful Eugene is, I knew I was ready to commit. I fell in love with everything going on at Oregon.

… A month or two ago, I was thinking I would commit at the end of my junior season, so I am a little surprised that I was ready this soon. But it was that feeling. Oregon is where I want to be and now I have locked in my spot at my dream school. That is where I want to be and now I am excited to be able to call myself a Duck.”

More than just legacy

While playing for his dad’s alma mater means a lot to Akili Jr., he wants to play for the Ducks for his own reasons. The atmosphere that Lanning and his staff have built in Eugene feels different to him than any other school he has visited.

“The family aspect that they preach at Oregon is amazing,” he said. “That sticks out to me a lot and I see it and feel it when there. Coach Lanning is preaching about brotherhood, taking care of your brother and that is a big part for me. I know I have people up there that love me and that I can trust. The coaches were a big reason why I chose Oregon, too. Coach Stein is a master-mind that is smart and creative. He knows what he is talking about, Coach Lanning is a great leader and it is just a program I want to be a part of.”

Smith is also a big fan of offensive coordinator Will Stein, who came over from UTSA in the offseason and has quickly developed a strong connection with Smith and his family.

“He is such a smart coach. I got to work with him at camp and that was great,” Smith said. “He gave me some great tips, what to work on, how to improve my drops and it was great learning and working with him. I just think Coach Stein is very smart and good at what he does. He was another reason it was easy to make my decision early and commit to Oregon. I really know he can do great things with quarterbacks and that he can help me.”