NC State QB commit Jacob Smith has ‘all the tools to be successful’

NC State quarterback commit Jacob Smith did not play football in middle school. Instead, the class of 2026 prospect locked in on baseball, committing to the Wolfpack in eighth grade as a pitcher/infielder. 

He spent those years as the Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan High football team’s ball boy as well, so head coach Josh McGee already knew him well. Smith hadn’t played football since the youth leagues, but he returned to the sport for his freshman year of high school. 

The talented baseball player quickly showed his skill set on the gridiron. In his first season back on the field, he started on the junior varsity squad before quickly emerging as the school’s starting varsity quarterback. 

“Throughout the summer with 7 on 7, you could tell something was a little bit different,” McGee said.  “Five games into the year his freshman year, he took over and has been rolling ever since.”

McGee knows Smith and his family well. The quarterback went to kindergarten with his daughter. Reagan’s head coach praised the Wolfpack commit’s leadership and football IQ. Physically, McGee believes the rising junior signal-caller can make every throw he needs to on the field. 

Smith’s high school offense asks a lot out of its quarterbacks, and he has handled that challenge well. His head coach also complimented his accuracy, mobility and general understanding of concepts. 

“I think he just has all the tools to be successful,” McGee said. 

With all of the ebbs and flows that come with annual changes to high school personnel, Smith has handled any and all changes to the scheme well. Reagan had two Power Five offensive lineman on its roster in 2022, so the team ran a lot. During the quarterback’s sophomore year, the line was super young, which put more pressure on Smith. 

The quarterback threw for 961 yards and 10 touchdowns in his freshman season before following that up with 2,051 yards and 24 touchdowns the next year. Smith improved his leadership during his high school career, and McGee said the signal-caller continues to make positive progress with his technique as well.

“Physically, the throwing motion, a lot of people see the baseball piece to it, and his motion may be a little bit longer, but he’s worked really really hard on tightening up his motion,” McGee said. 

McGee wants to see the junior quarterback completely take over the offense this fall. Smith will have the ability to change the play and keep Reagan in “good situations.” 

The head coach believes his quarterback’s toughness and organization will make him a productive two-sport athlete at the next level. He balanced football and baseball through his first two years of high school and will continue to do so into college. 

“He’s a competitive guy, he’s smart, he can pick things up easy,” McGee said. “He does a great job of time management, which I think is key.”

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