On Thursday, Jaxon Smolik, a Class of 2023 three-star pro-style quarterback out of Des Moines, Iowa decommited from Tulane University, and Penn State is the leading school to land his commitment, according to all three major recruiting sites.
— Jaxon Smolik (@JaxonSmolik) August 11, 2022
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Smolik is the number nine recruit in Iowa and the No. 38 quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Smolik took part in the Elite 11 Finals quarterbacks camp at the last minute only after five-star prospect Nicholas Iamaleava backed out of the Elite 11 at the last minute. He impressed coaches and scouts with his poise in the pocket, accuracy, and arm talent, and after the camp, he received his first Power Five offer from Cal.
Shortly after the camp, after quarterback Marcus Stokes flipped from Penn State to Florida, Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich reached out to come out the Penn State’s final Elite Showcase camp at the end of July. Smolik attended the camp and displayed his skills to Yurich, head coach James Franklin and the rest of his staff.
Smolik is a late riser in the recruiting process because he did suffer a broken collar bone playing for Dowling Catholic High School in their first game, costing him to miss almost two months. He ended the season with a 65 percent completion percentage with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
If Smolik were to commit, he would be the lone quarterback in Penn State’s 2023 recruiting cycle.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
