Kentucky offer, varsity starter puts spotlight on Ohio 2027 QB Jackson Smith

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Lakota West High School (West Chester) was one of Ohio’s best last fall pushing their record to 13-1. When the 2023 season kicks off, the Firebirds will have a different look, especially in the pocket with projected starter Jackson Smith (6-3, 170) taking over. Teams across the country reload at the quarterback position every season, but this new opportunity brings a little more attention given Smith is part of the 2027 recruiting class and will take the field this fall supported by an offer from the Kentucky Wildcats.

Players at all levels routinely get the proverbial baptism by fire, and Smith is no different. The strong-armed gunslinger with dual threat abilities will get his varsity turn in a wide-open offense surrounded by playmakers.

“We run a Spread,” Smith stated. “We like our two by two a lot. We can do anything – go deep, and we have a great running back; we don’t always have to throw the ball. We have skill guys who are playmakers like Luka Gilbert, our tight end. He is 6-7; we have a lot of threats that can do some damage.”

Preparing for the big stage this fall, Smith has been hard at work.

“My footwork for sure; that is the biggest thing I have been working on,” Smith shared. “The whole thing during camp season has been my feet. Brad Maendler, he is the QB guy in Ohio, I have been working with him to fine-tune my motion and how I throw.”

The extra work on the field is paying off.

“I feel faster after doing all the footwork drills and the ball is coming out so much better after working with coach Maendler,” Smith said. “I can throw it so much further now. The big thing is the zip on tight window throws; those are some of the biggest things that have improved. The mental work as well. I watch a lot of film. I feel that I know the game well, and I will continue to watch film to know it at the highest level.”

Showing off the developing skills, Smith has garnered the recruiting spotlight spinning the pigskin at college camps this summer.

“Notre Dame, I love that school, they have been in contact with me a lot,” Smith shared. “I camped there and visited there twice for a game day and a spring practice. I visited Florida, Tennessee, and Ohio State. I have Twitter follows from teams like UConn and Vanderbilt. I have a few teams showing interest, and the one offer from Kentucky. I am in a good situation right now.”

Smith broke down how the Wildcats extended their scholarship opportunity.

“I went to a camp there in early to mid-June, their coach took an immediate liking to me,” Smith said. “My trainer told me that I got the offer. Coach (Vince) Marrow (RC/TE) reached out to him to extend the offer. They wanted to watch my eighth-grade film; they liked what they saw. Coach (Mark) Perry (QC) liked me a lot.”

Heading to another SEC program, Smith spoke about his time in Gainesville with the Gators.

“I liked it a lot,” Smith stated. “I can see myself playing at Florida. I feel the SEC has the best football. I was there for their spring game, that was neat being in The Swamp. There were a lot of fans there; the stadium was loud. It was a fun environment to be around.”

Walking on campus in Columbus with a Buckeyes’ all-time great helps in the attention category.

“I liked it,” Smith shared. “Braxton Miller, I went with him. I train with him; he is my go-to guy. “I went with a group of guys; it was pretty sweet. That was the first visit doing a photo shoot; I remember it well. Watching them practice was sweet. I watched their quarterbacks and saw how they are detailed on the little things; that was sweet.”

When Smith starts putting film out this fall from his season with the Firebirds, college coaches will take notice after his lengthy summer camp circuit.

“I’ve been everywhere,” Smith said. “I went to Kentucky, Ohio State, Notre Dame, an Indy mega camp, a Kent State mega camp, West Virginia, and Marshall. I went to so many camps, I was not home a single day in June.”

Smith reflected on where he spun it best.

“I think my best performance was probably at Kentucky,” Smith stated. “I did well there. At the Marshall camp, I did well there too. Their coaches liked me a lot. I feel I did solid there.”

Over time, a lot more visits will be taken, but there are two that may happen in the coming weeks.

“I want to go to Notre Dame and Kentucky,” Smith shared. “The coach at Kentucky said any of the guys can come out, I will take him up on that.”

 

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