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Watch Penn State quarterback target Jaxon Smolik at final PSU Camp

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•07/30/22•

ThomasFrankCarr

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Penn State quarterback target Jaxon Smolik getting individual attention from quarterback coach and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich during the Elite Prospect V camp at Penn State. (Thomas Frank Carr: BWI)

Penn State’s hunt for a quarterback in the Class of 2023 took a step forward on Friday when they hosted Tulane commit and three-star prospect Jaxon Smolik for their final Elite Prospect camp of the summer. 

Smolik was one of a handful of quality passers on the day Blue White Illustrated followed throughout the camp. Check out Smolik’s performance during his visit to Penn State on our YouTube channel, or watch the embedded video below. 

Smolik, a West Des Moines, IA native, performed well in the testing portion of the camp, running a 4.70 40-yard dash on Friday. The 6-0, 200-pound athletic quarterback looked comfortable rolling out and delivering the ball on the move. 

Quarterback prospect Jaxon Smolik at Penn State camp

Previous information on Penn State target Jaxon Smolik

According to the De Moines Register, the Iowa native broke his collarbone during the first game of the 2021 season against Southeast Polk.

He came back for a playoff run for Dowling Catholic late in the season, appearing in four games total last year. His arm strength was notably weak when he returned to the field but has improved that over time this offseason. He was a late addition to the Elite 11 finals in California last month, where he impressed On3 Scouts. The Penn State staff took notice as well.

Here’s a compilation of their thoughts from the event. 

Elite 11 Finals: Day 2 live updates

“Tulane commit Jaxon Smolik on target on 16-20 passes. A pretty strong session from him, in my opinion. Spun the ball well and was on pace for one the best sessions so far before missing the last throw.” – Charles Power 

Elite 11 Finals: Day 2 Top Performers

“Smolik delivered a strong pro day session, charting as on target on 16 of 20 passes. It wasn’t just his accuracy, though. Smolik spun the ball well and threw with velocity that easily stacked up among his highly-rated peers.”-Power

Penn State has very few targets left on the quarterback board for the class of 2023. Smolik’s development this summer could be a huge benefit if the team decides to pursue him and he flips his commitment.

Elite 11 Finals: Overall Top Performers

9. “Jaxon Smolik was a late addition to the Elite 11 Finals and made the most of the opportunity. The Tulane commit showed he belonged alongside the nation’s best and got better and better each day. Smolik had one of the better 7-on-7 sessions on Thursday, with On3 charting him on target for 9 of 17 passes for three touchdowns and one dropped interception. Smolik got hot during the middle of his turn, ripping two impressive touchdowns in rapid succession. He spins the ball well and throws with velocity. The West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic signal-caller looks like a steal for the Green Wave.” – Power 

Penn State needs to find a quarterback to replace former commit Marcus Stokes, who flipped to Florida at the end of June. The Nittany Lions have the eighth-overall class in the 2023 cycle, which sits at 18 commits. 

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