National Championship or NOTHING for Oregon Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel? | Dan Lanning BUILT for 2024

San Diego Lincoln They couldn’t emerge victorious on Saturday night, but the Hornets put up a hell of a fight. Arbor View (Nev.) came away with a 45-44 win after much drama in the home stretch, but Lincoln’s Akili Smith, Jr. has certainly helped the Hornets stay in the fight.

Smith finished the game completing 21 of 31 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns, throwing a single interception, and adding another 31 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Smith opened with a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Ty Olsen. Lincoln then fell behind 31-7 before the comeback led by Smith and Olsen began.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Smith threw the ball into the ground from the 2-yard line and then connected twice more to Olsen, who scored through the air – including a 58-yard pass less than three minutes ago that gave the Hornets the lead.

Akili Smith Jr. in action with Oregon

Smith has been in Oregon since July of last year. He is the son of former Ducks quarterback and NFL draft pick Akili Smith.

“I feel very comfortable with my decision,” Smith told Simmons in March. “The coaches always tell me how much they want me out there and make me feel comfortable with my decision. It’s great to have made a commitment so early.”

“Honestly, my dad had nothing to do with my decision,” he added. “All the coaches were always after me, talking to me, making sure I knew they wanted me there. It was kind of a family aspect, it was like home when I was there for my Junior Day.”

Smith also participated in the Elite 11 Finals quarterback competition earlier this summer.

“I felt like I was pretty good at the beginning,” Smith told On3. “I was definitely pretty good at the Panini Challenge. But it wasn’t quite enough at the end. I scored about 34 points at the beginning and only 18 at the end, so my score was a little low over there. And then at Pro Day, I got a little bit of momentum at the beginning and my arm started to hurt a little bit. But no excuses, I should have made every pass. It’s all good. I’m looking forward to seeing the result after that.”

Smith is the nation’s 209th-ranked young player, 16th quarterback and 19th recruit from California in the 2025 cycle according to On3 Industry Ranking – a weighted average that uses all four major recruiting media companies.