First in a sequence of tales profiling high highschool soccer gamers by place. At the moment, Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park quarterback.
Honored because the The Instances’ participant of the yr in 2024. Handed for greater than 3,200 yards. Accomplished 49 landing passes. Received a Southern Part Division 2 championship. Dedicated to Michigan for faculty. Rated a five-star quarterback by one recruiting service.
Has Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park Excessive achieved all the things he wished to do in highschool going into his senior yr?
“I can argue I’m getting even hungrier,” stated the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder.
His former receiver Shane Rosenthal, who’s now at UCLA, has identified Smigiel since their tee-ball days. Rosenthal stated his finest pal isn’t glad.
“He is aware of there’s issues to enhance on,” Rosenthal stated. “That is simply the beginning of his profession. He’s acquired school subsequent and hopefully the NFL. This isn’t his remaining vacation spot. He is aware of the place he needs to get to.”
Smigiel intends to maintain the pedal to the steel as he performs his remaining season below his father, head coach Joe Smigiel. He was the one who threw a container crammed with Gatorade on his father’s head final season, drawing a nasty stare as a result of dad had a chilly and didn’t must get moist.
All is forgiven and his father would gladly settle for one other drenching with a little bit warning this time. The problem for son shall be growing chemistry together with his new group of receivers and persevering with to progress studying defenses, one thing he did terribly properly in dropping his interceptions to a few final season after 14 in 2023.
“There’s no changing Shane, however there are some excellent athletes that got here in,” Smigiel stated.
Regardless of his success the final three seasons, which embody 11,222 yards passing and 147 touchdowns, Smigiel insists he has not misplaced his focus.
“There’s a brand new problem each season and to know I’m going to varsity in lower than a yr makes me even hungrier,” he stated. “I would like to have the ability to get higher each single day.”
In April, an instance of his day was getting to highschool at 6:30 a.m. and getting dwelling at 8 p.m. after exercises, courses and coaching. He has entrusted his coaching to a workers devoted to giving him the instruments to succeed.
“You simply need to get stronger and quicker,” he stated. “I’m a tall construct, so there’s a variety of mass to place weight on. I dropped some unhealthy kilos and began engaged on my pace coaching to get extra explosive.”
He has made a dedication to Michigan, believing the varsity is the most effective match for his quarterback type, teachers and growth on and off the sector. He’s pursuing his dream — the NFL. He remembers being impressed after watching the draft with former Newbury Park and NFL defensive again Darnay Holmes.
Newbury Park coach Joe Smigiel with sons Brady, left, and Beau.
(Nick Koza)
“My dream has been to be within the NFL my entire life,” he stated. “Darnay was at our home and the draft was on and my mother was having a dialog with him. He was about my age proper now and his dream was to play within the NFL and the actual fact it occurred and might occur to folks , it actually opened my eyes and is 100% a dream of mine.”
Throughout a diet break final spring, Smigiel was hanging out with Rosenthal and appeared up the long run schedules for Michigan and UCLA. The Bruins shall be in Ann Arbor in 2026, with the Wolverines coming to the Rose Bowl in 2027. The very best buddies are planning.
“We’ll be doing a jersey trade,” Rosenthal stated. “I need to be on the identical discipline once more.”
Smigiel has matured all through highschool. He has grown always, whether or not in class, his bodily dimensions, or his religion. His new offensive coordinator, former Utah quarterback Cam Rising, helps him turn into much more ready for the subsequent stage.
The Smigiel journey continues, and it’s going to be fairly a journey to comply with.
Wednesday: Valencia operating again Brian Bonner.
Quarterbacks to observe
Bryson Beaver, Vista Murrieta, 6-3, 195, Sr.: Oregon commit handed for 3,214 yards, 33 touchdowns final season
Corin Berry, Constitution Oak, 6-3, 185, Sr. Purdue commit handed for 3,034 yards, 33 touchdowns in 2024
Wyatt Brown, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 6-4, 190, Sr.: Santa Monica switch is prepared for Mission League
Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Ohio State commit has nice arm, good instincts and is big-time within the clutch
Ryan Hopkins, Mater Dei, 6-3, 190, Sr.: Wisconsin commit is among the quickest QBs within the state
Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral, 5-9, 175, Jr.: Accomplished 68% of his passes with solely 4 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. : Handed for two,809 yards, 24 touchdowns final season
Oscar Rios, Downey, 6-3, 180, Sr.: Arizona commit is terrific passer, runner and chief
Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park, 6-5, 210, Sr.: Michigan commit has handed for 147 TDs in three seasons
