Latest news with #Smigiel
Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel is even hungrier this season
First in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park quarterback. Honored as the The Times' player of the year in 2024. Passed for more than 3,200 yards. Completed 49 touchdown passes. Won a Southern Section Division 2 championship. Committed to Michigan for college. Rated a five-star quarterback by one recruiting service. Has Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park High accomplished everything he wanted to do in high school going into his senior year? 'I can argue I'm getting even hungrier,' said the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder. His former receiver Shane Rosenthal, who is now at UCLA, has known Smigiel since their tee-ball days. Rosenthal said his best friend is never satisfied. 'He knows there's things to improve on,' Rosenthal said. 'This is just the start of his career. He's got college next and hopefully the NFL. This is not his final destination. He knows where he wants to get to.' Smigiel intends to keep the pedal to the metal as he plays his final season under his father, head coach Joe Smigiel. He was the one who threw a container filled with Gatorade on his father's head last season, drawing a nasty stare because dad had a cold and didn't need to get wet. All is forgiven and his father would gladly accept another drenching with a little warning this time. The challenge for son will be developing chemistry with his new group of receivers and continuing to progress reading defenses, something he did extraordinarily well in dropping his interceptions to three last season after 14 in 2023. 'There's no replacing Shane, but there are some very good athletes that came in,' Smigiel said. Despite his success the last three seasons, which include 11,222 yards passing and 147 touchdowns, Smigiel insists he has not lost his focus. 'There's a new challenge every season and to know I'm going to college in less than a year makes me even hungrier,' he said. 'I want to be able to get better every single day.' In April, an example of his day was getting to school at 6:30 a.m. and getting home at 8 p.m. after workouts, classes and training. He has entrusted his training to a staff dedicated to giving him the tools to succeed. 'You just want to get stronger and faster,' he said. 'I'm a tall build, so there's a lot of mass to put weight on. I dropped some bad pounds and started working on my speed training to get more explosive.' He has made a commitment to Michigan, believing the school is the best fit for his quarterback style, academics and development on and off the field. He's pursuing his dream — the NFL. He remembers being inspired after watching the draft with former Newbury Park and NFL defensive back Darnay Holmes. 'My dream has been to be in the NFL my whole life,' he said. 'Darnay was at our house and the draft was on and my mom was having a conversation with him. He was about my age right now and his dream was to play in the NFL and the fact it happened and can happen to people you know, it really opened my eyes and is 100% a dream of mine.' During a nutrition break last spring, Smigiel was hanging out with Rosenthal and looked up the future schedules for Michigan and UCLA. The Bruins will be in Ann Arbor in 2026, with the Wolverines coming to the Rose Bowl in 2027. The best buddies are making plans. 'We'll be doing a jersey exchange,' Rosenthal said. 'I want to be on the same field again.' Smigiel has matured throughout high school. He has grown constantly, whether in school, his physical dimensions, or his faith. His new offensive coordinator, former Utah quarterback Cam Rising, is helping him become even more prepared for the next level. The Smigiel journey continues, and it's going to be quite a ride to follow. Wednesday: Valencia running back Brian Bonner. Bryson Beaver, Vista Murrieta, 6-3, 195, Sr.: Oregon commit passed for 3,214 yards, 33 touchdowns last season Corin Berry, Charter Oak, 6-3, 185, Sr. Purdue commit passed for 3,034 yards, 33 touchdowns in 2024 Wyatt Brown, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 6-4, 190, Sr.: Santa Monica transfer is ready for Mission League Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Ohio State commit has great arm, good instincts and is big-time in the clutch Ryan Hopkins, Mater Dei, 6-3, 190, Sr.: Wisconsin commit is one of the fastest QBs in the state Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral, 5-9, 175, Jr.: Completed 68% of his passes with only four interceptions Koa Malau'ulu, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 175, So.: Threw for 19 touchdowns as a freshman Ryan Rakowski, Palos Verdes, 5-11, 170, Jr. : Passed for 2,809 yards, 24 touchdowns last season Oscar Rios, Downey, 6-3, 180, Sr.: Arizona commit is terrific passer, runner and leader Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park, 6-5, 210, Sr.: Michigan commit has passed for 147 TDs in three seasons
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
QB Brady Smigiel commits, Michigan football lands four-star for 2026
As Michigan football players hear their name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, the program may have just landed a quarterback who could hear his name called in the future. Brady Smigiel, a four-star class of 2026 quarterback from Newbury Park, California, has pledged to join the Wolverines, he announced on social media with a short and simple message in the early afternoon on April 26. Advertisement "All Glory to God — Go Blue! #committed," Smigiel wrote. This came just minutes after coach Sherrone Moore posted on social media "YesSir #GoBlue" with a pair of eyeball emojis. New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey also chimed in, celebrating the commitment, the first he has secured as a member of the Michigan staff. Smigiel is ranked the No. 7 quarterback in the nation, the No. 12 player in California and the No. 80 overall player in the class of 2026, according to 247 Sports' composite rankings. Smigel was previously committed to Florida State, but when he decommitted in late January and reopened himself to the process, U-M pounced. "Smigiel is a big, strong armed pocket passer who has put up huge numbers since his freshman season," wrote 247 Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins. "At the recent Under Armour Next Camp in SoCal, he had a very strong showing, with a tightened release and his usual trademark accuracy to all three levels of the field. "He's very accurate down the field, knows how to change speeds and throws with really nice touch but can put plenty of heat on his throws when he needs to." Of course, the Wolverines have a star quarterback in the fold in Bryce Underwood who is entering his true freshman season and is expected to be the face of the program through at least through the 2027 season. Advertisement Still, that didn't prevent Smigiel from joining U-M and Lindsey's offense, which showed in the spring game April 19 that it will look to attack vertically downfield — a dream for passers and something not previously seen in Ann Arbor. "He's a tough kid, will stand in and take a shot and not flinch," Biggins continued. "Great natural leader, locker room guy and teammate. Very high football lQ, dad is his coach so he has been around the game and has a good natural feel for playing the position. "Has decent pocket mobility, not a great runner but can buy time and is good making throws outside the pocket. Projects as a high major Power 4 prospect with Sunday potential." The 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect is a true pocket passer and now the highest rated recruit in U-M's class of 2026, joining four-star cornerback Brody Jennings (Jacksonville, Florida), four-star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter (Cartersville, Georgia) and three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile (Dallas). Newbury Park High quarterback Brady Smigiel is Ventura County Star All-County Football Offensive Player of the Year on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@ and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brady Smigiel, four-star QB for 2026, commits to Michigan football
Reuters
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Michigan lands 4-star QB Brady Smigiel from Newbury Park (CA)
April 26 - Brady Smigiel, a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2026, announced his commitment to Michigan on Saturday. A three-year starter at Newbury Park (Calif.) High School, Smigiel had verbally committed to Florida State in June 2024 before decommitting in January following Florida State's 2-10 season and subsequent coaching changes. He had initially picked the Seminoles over finalist Michigan and more than 30 other programs. He visited Michigan again last Saturday and attended the team's spring game. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Smigiel is ranked the No. 63 overall prospect in his class, No. 5 at his position and No. 10 in California, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. As a junior, Smigiel threw for 3,521 yards, 49 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 11 TDs and more than 400 yards. Smigiel has a total of 147 TD passes and more than 11,000 passing yards in three seasons. He led Newbury Park to a CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship this past season and was named Division 2 offensive player of the year. Michigan finished 8-5 last season for seventh place in the Big Ten in Sherrone Moore's first season after Jim Harbaugh's nine-year tenure. The Wolverines beat Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Miami Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Michigan lands 4-star QB Brady Smigiel from Newbury Park (CA)
Brady Smigiel, a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2026, announced his commitment to Michigan on Saturday. A three-year starter at Newbury Park (Calif.) High School, Smigiel had verbally committed to Florida State in June 2024 before decommitting in January following Florida State's 2-10 season and subsequent coaching changes. He had initially picked the Seminoles over finalist Michigan and more than 30 other programs. He visited Michigan again last Saturday and attended the team's spring game. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Smigiel is ranked the No. 63 overall prospect in his class, No. 5 at his position and No. 10 in California, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. As a junior, Smigiel threw for 3,521 yards, 49 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 11 TDs and more than 400 yards. Smigiel has a total of 147 TD passes and more than 11,000 passing yards in three seasons. He led Newbury Park to a CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship this past season and was named Division 2 offensive player of the year. Michigan finished 8-5 last season for seventh place in the Big Ten in Sherrone Moore's first season after Jim Harbaugh's nine-year tenure. The Wolverines beat Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel commits to Michigan
Brady Smigiel, the junior quarterback at Newbury Park who has developed into one of the best college prospects in the nation, announced on Saturday that he has committed to Michigan. All Glory to God - Go Blue! #committed @Hayesfawcett3 — Brady Smigiel (@BradySmigiel) April 26, 2025 Smigiel had been committed to Florida State until changing his mind following a coaching change involving the offense. What a catch by Drew Cofield. What a throw by Brady Smigiel. Newbury Park 14, Lincoln 7 — eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 7, 2024 During his trip visiting Michigan, Smigiel and his family were sold on the program, the academics and the area for him to grow as a player and person. His father, Joe, is the head coach at Newbury Park. Last season Smigiel was The Times' player of the year. The 6-foot-5 Smigiel passed for 3,591 yards and 49 touchdowns. Brady has crushed school records in his three years at NPHS, leading the team and rewriting the record books!@bradysmigiel @ #PantherPride #CIFChamps #14-0 — NEWBURY PARK FOOTBALL (@NPPanthersONE) December 11, 2024 He has improved with each season, making him a valuable player at a position that's so important for a team to succeed. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
