First in a collection of tales profiling prime highschool soccer gamers by place. At present, Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park quarterback.
Honored because the The Occasions’ participant of the yr in 2024. Handed for greater than 3,200 yards. Accomplished 49 landing passes. Gained a Southern Part Division 2 championship. Dedicated to Michigan for school. Rated a five-star quarterback by one recruiting service.
Has Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park Excessive achieved every thing 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 greatest buddy isn’t glad.
“He knows there’s things to improve on,” Rosenthal stated. “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 maintain the pedal to the steel as he performs his closing season beneath 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 have to get moist.
All is forgiven and his father would gladly settle for one other drenching with a bit of warning this time. The problem for son will likely be creating chemistry along with his new group of receivers and persevering with to progress studying defenses, one thing he did terribly nicely in dropping his interceptions to 3 final season after 14 in 2023.
“There’s no replacing Shane, but there are some very good athletes that came 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 new challenge every season and to know I’m going to college in less than a year makes me even hungrier,” he stated. “I want to be able to get better every single day.”
What a contact cross. Brady Smigiel to Drew Cofield. 66 yards. Landing. Newbury Park 24, Murrieta Valley 21. Who’s higher than Smigiel? pic.twitter.com/qfOYmZHV0o
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 1, 2024
In April, an instance of his day was getting to high school at 6:30 a.m. and getting house 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 just want to get stronger and faster,” he stated. “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 dedication to Michigan, believing the varsity is the most effective match for his quarterback model, 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 in the NFL my whole life,” he stated. “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.”
Throughout a vitamin break final spring, Smigiel was hanging out with Rosenthal and appeared up the long run schedules for Michigan and UCLA. The Bruins will likely 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 exchange,” Rosenthal stated. “I want to be on the same field again.”
Smigiel has matured all through highschool. He has grown always, whether or not at school, his bodily dimensions, or his religion. His new offensive coordinator, former Utah quarterback Cam Rising, helps him develop into much more ready for the subsequent stage.
The Smigiel journey continues, and it’s going to be fairly a experience to comply with.
Wednesday: Valencia working 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 likely one of 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
