Redshirt senior wide receiver Jake Smith hasn’t had the ordinary path coming to Arizona State.
The former 2018-19 Arizona and National Gatorade Player of the Year played at Notre Dame Prep High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Posting video game numbers in rushing and receiving totals, he finished with over 5,000 all-purpose yards in three seasons of varsity football. He also found the end zone 68 times playing for the Saints.
His stellar high school career landed him at the University of Texas. The 6-foot, 200-pound wideout played two seasons as a Longhorn (2019 & 2020), racking up 48 receptions for 568 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith hit the transfer portal and joined the University of Southern California soon after.
Unfortunately, he never saw the field at USC, as he dealt with a fractured foot. With two years down the drain for Smith, he returned to his hometown roots.
Despite the Sun Devils being hit with a self-imposed bowl ban for the 2023-24 season, there was still some light down the tunnel; Arizona State had landed former four-star recruit quarterback Jaden Rashada. The new potential duo of Smith and Rashada never got to connect.
The NCAA ruled Smith ineligible to play because of a two-time transfer rule. He was sidelined for all of last season. He shared his thoughts going through this letdown.
“It was definitely tough,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday. “I think overall I did a good job of keeping my mental state well.”
Smith also emphasized the importance of having his family, friends, teammates, and ASU’s staff help him through being unable to play last season. However, he was not the only player on the same team in the same situation.
Redshirt junior defensive back Xavion “X” Alford was a former Trojan, who like Smith was not able to play last season. Smith shared the impact of having someone like Alford around.
“It definitely helped,” Smith said. “X and I grew closer. We went through the same thing so it definitely helped to have someone to go through the same thing as me and be able to talk about it and grow together.”
Both suited up for Arizona State’s home opener Week 1 date against the University of Wyoming. Smith caught three passes for 47 yards and had one rushing attempt for three yards. The Sun Devils won in dominating fashion 48-7 over the Cowboys. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham shared his thoughts on both players’ performances
“I thought they both played well,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “I told coach Arroyo I wanted him (Smith) to touch the ball in the first four plays, wanted him to get his feet wet, and he caught a screen. If he catches that same screen today I think he scores. He got a little excited. But the way he can just go and naturally pick it up and play was awesome.”
For Smith, it had been 1,342 days since the last college football game he had played in. Both players received game balls after the win for their perseverance. The wideout was just happy to be back out there.
“It was very cool,” Smith said. “To me, it felt more lively, more packed, than last year. I definitely felt that excitement in the atmosphere…the student section, the first thing I walked out was a sea of gold. It was pretty cool.”
A long time coming for Smith looks to pay dividends for the remainder of his senior season. Although his shortened collegiate career may have not gone as planned, he is back playing the game he loves in his home state.
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