Oregon QB signee Akili Smith Jr. scores four touchdowns to win California state title
San Diego Lincoln four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. closed his high school career with a state championship victory on Friday night.
The Oregon Ducks signee scored all four of Lincoln’s touchdowns in a 28-26 win over Pittsburg. The Hornets claimed the Division 1-AA state championship, scoring a touchdown in all four quarters in Mission Viejo.
Smith attempted a pass just 11 times on Friday, but he made the most of his opportunities with the arm. He completed six of those attempts, accumulating 171 yards and three touchdowns. He also found pay dirt on the feet in the fourth, trucking a Pittsburg defender as he crossed the goal line for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
Pittsburg scored a touchdown late in the fourth but was unable to convert the 2-point conversion to tie things up. Lincoln has now won the state title in two of the last three seasons.
Smith’s senior season wraps up with over 2,400 passing yards and 24 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also acquired four TDs on the ground. Across three seasons as a starter for the Hornets, Smith totaled over 7,200 passing yards and 78 scores through the air.
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The 6-foot-5, 233-pounder committed to the Ducks all the way back on July 31, 2023. He stayed true to Dan Lanning and Co. and signed with the Big Ten program on National Signing Day. Smith is the son of former Ducks quarterback and NFL draft pick Akili Smith.
“I feel very comfortable with my decision,” Smith told On3 earlier this year. “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 Jr. is the No. 241 overall prospect and No. 20 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 20 player in California.