Leader and ‘ultimate competitor’
Notre Dame star heads to Texas to play football
Jake Smith doesn’t boast about his accomplishments.
But the trophies and statistics he has compiled in his Notre Dame Prep football and lacrosse career, say plenty.
This academic year, the recent graduate, who is now entrenched at Texas getting ready for his first college football season, was awarded the National Gatorade Football Player of the Year Award.
Then, in the spring, after coming back from an injury, he joined the lacrosse team and became the difference maker in Notre Dame’s third consecutive state championship, scoring 27 goals in eight games as a midfielder.
In the 8-7 win over Brophy Prep for the state title, Smith had five goals.
For his efforts, he was named the 2018-19 azcentral Boys Athlete of the Year.
“I’m very honored and excited to receive this award,” Smith said. “It means a lot.”
Smith was a leader on the campus, whose remarkable achievements got noticed.
In football, playing both running back and wide receiver, during the last two years when his recruiting ramped up, the 6-foot, 185-pound Smith put up these numbers on offense:
❚ 1,876 yards and 26 touchdowns on 218 carries.
❚ 2,125 yards and 37 TDs on 91 catches.
❚ 4,887 all-purpose yards.
❚ 26-2 record.
“Jake is the ultimate competitor,” Notre Dame football coach George Prelock said.
“He has worked extremely hard on and off the field to be the student-athlete he is today. His versatility is incredible as he was able to play multiple positions throughout his career. Jake will continue to work hard to be the best he can at Texas just like his time here at NDP.”
Matt Rylski, an assistant football coach who serves as the director of Student Life and Admissions at Notre Dame, watched Smith blossom in every aspect at the school.
“Jake is the epitome of quiet leader and leader by example,” Rylski said. “This began as a junior. We had many strong personalities on our 2017 team. Jake simply let his play do his talking and all of his senior teammates, and opposing players and coaches, took notice.
“With that mentality, those around him took special notice the rare times he voiced his thoughts.”
Rylski recalled a state quarterfinal game at Queen Creek. Notre Dame was stunned by two late touchdowns that sent the game to overtime.
“Queen Creek went on to kick a field goal in their overtime possession and we were all discussing options from the 10yard line,” Rylski said. “Jake looked right at Coach Prelock and (quarterback) Kylan Weisser and said, ‘Just throw it to me and we’ll win.’”
It worked.
As a senior, Smith had the national spotlight on him.
“But he never changed his quiet approach,” Rylski said. “He let his senior co-captains Jake Farrell and James Garrison be the vocal leaders, and, once again, he led by example.”
That was exemplified one one standout moment against Gilbert in Week 3.
“We were 2-0 but had many concerns about our young defense, especially getting ready for (quarterback) Will Plummer and their wide-open attack,” Rylski said. “Plummer specifically gave us concerns on broken plays and scrambling.”
Smith was asked to be part of the defense as a “spy,” but there were concerns how he’d hold up on offense on a muggy August night.
“Jake just told (defensive coordinator Nick) Smith, ‘I got this,’ ” Rylski said. “In addition to his usual offensive show, Jake sacked Plummer three times in the first half and led us to a shutout victory.”
Notre Dame lacrosse coach Doug Lipka said that Smith’s mid-season return galvanized the team.
“When he came back, we felt more comfortable as a team,” Lipka said. “He gave us a spark, an energy. He got full clearance and surprised everyone one day. Everyone stopped what they were doing.
“I remember that first practice, we broke the huddle and he said, ‘Time to get that ring.’ He was a catalyst for our team. He’s just a competitor. He is in it to win, and expects the best.”