Penn State adds three-star Iowa quarterback to 2023 recruiting class
Penn State has found a quarterback for the 2023 recruiting cycle. Three-star quarterback Jaxon Smolik announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions Friday afternoon.
Smolik was previously committed to Tulane, but camped at Penn State over the summer and earned a scholarship offer. He de-committed from Tulane Thursday. The new quarterback is the second to spend time as a Nittany Lion commit, after four-star quarterback Marcus Stokes was previously committed. He flipped his decision earlier in the summer from Penn State to Florida.
The newest commit hails from West Des Moines, Iowa and plays for Dowling Catholic. He’s rated as the No. 38 quarterback in the country according to the 247Sports Composite player rankings and is the No. 9 player in Iowa.
He chose Penn State over eight other scholarship offers, including one from California.
247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu projects Smolik as a starter at the Power-5 conference level and compared him to current NFL quarterback Case Keenum in the scouting report on his 247Sports profile page.
“Somewhat limited high school film going into his senior year as he rotated as a sophomore and had to work back from an injury as a junior but has flashed high level efficiency and ability,” Trieu’s scouting report says. “Completed over 65% of his passes with a 9 touchdown to 2 interception ratio as a junior. Has supplemented that by throwing well in camp settings. Accurate and places the ball where receivers can make plays after the catch without needing to break stride. Can throw into windows when he needs to. Leads them into space and can throw his receivers open.
“Is not a true running threat that we have seen but can navigate the pocket and throw on the move. In terms of physical tools, size is right around the average for the position, arm strength is good, not elite, and mobility is solid, but also not elite. Very solid all-around prospect though with a feel for the position and has played against good competition. Should develop into a reliable, dependable starter at the Power Five level. Compares to Keenum who is also not ever the biggest or fastest quarterback in the room but is accurate, smart and realiable (sic).”
Smolik’s addition to the class keeps it as the No. 10 group nationally in the 247Sports Composite team rankings and No. 2 in the Big Ten, behind only Ohio State.
