Jake Smith is playing out his last season at Notre Dame Prep with an eye on suiting up in burnt orange for the Texas Longhorns next year.

“I am proud of Jake and his amazing accomplishment,” Notre Dame Prep head coach George Prelock said. “Every year he has matured, and he has worked extremely hard to become a great student-athlete.”

Smith, a wide receiver, was offered a scholarship by 33 schools, including: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Michigan and USC. Smith chose to verbally commit to Texas on June 3.

“UT was the complete package for me,” Smith said. “The school, football program, city, coaches, tradition.”

Smith is recognized as a top player in Arizona, as well as being nationally recognized. Smith has been invited to play in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, where “only the nation’s elite are selected to compete,” according to the game’s website.

Smith not only leads his team with stats and on the scoreboard every week, but he leads by example in his actions on and off the field.

“He is a leader by example,” Prelock said. “He is not really vocal, but the other players follow his lead.”

Off the field, Smith is just like any other high school kid. He enjoys watching movies and playing Fortnite. Recently the AIA has announced eSports an official High School sport where students can win titles and championships.

“I would like to do that [participate in eSports if Fortnite was offered],” Smith said. “But I’m not that good, I think I have about 10 solo wins.”

Smith’s favorite movie is Spiderman, because that has always been his favorite super hero growing up.

“I’d like to be able to jump like him and be as elusive as him,” Smith said.

Besides wanting to be like Spiderman, Smith looks up to Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.

“I look up to Christian because we’re the same type of player,” Smith said. “And because he’s been very successful so far.”

McCaffrey, a former first round draft pick out of Stanford, has been highly successful and a key player for the Panthers. As a rookie he had 117 rushing attempts for 435 yards and 80 receptions for 651 yards.

Smith looks up to McCaffrey’s success, and could be on his way to that level of play as well.

“I think when he is surrounded by people that are of his caliber, he will prove that he is truly elite,” teammate and friend James Garrison said. “Although he already has."

As Smith finishes up his last high school season, he begins to prepare for the colligate level.

“I will train during the offseason,” Smith said. “But I will also ice a lot and work with stem machines.”

Besides training on the field consistently, Smith focuses on bettering his body and strength every day, regardless of his busy schedule.

“I stretch and roll out my muscles a lot,” Smith said. “I try to get good amounts of sleep, too.”

While Smith has a lot of on field success and media attention, he still is true to himself and what got him to this point.

“My family means the most to me,” Smith said.

Smith will head off to Austin, Texas in June to begin his journey on a new field with a new team.