Like Father, Like Son?

Combat Ducks quarterback Akili Smith Jr. throws a pass during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Gen-Zers may not take much from the name Akili Smith, but anyone who was actively viewing Oregon Football’s famous resurgence in the 90s will likely have a smile on their face when hearing him mentioned.

Building on the momentum from the ‘94 Rose Bowl team, Oregon Football finished the 90s on a hot streak fans had never seen before. Right in the thick of that was Akili Smith Sr. , who helped Oregon climb into National Title contention during the 1998 season.

Smith was one of the top collegiate quarterbacks heading into the 1999 NFL Draft. A quarter-century later, it was pure nostalgia when his son committed to Oregon, and the past couple Spring Games, we’ve been able to see him suit up in a Duck uniform. Question is, will we get to see much of that on Saturdays in the fall at any point?

In the Spring Game this past weekend, Smith Jr. led a couple first half drives for Team Black, the second of which culminated in a field goal to go on top 10-7. He didn’t make any glaring mistakes, but after Brock Thomas tossed the game-winning touchdown and Dante Moore and Dylan Riola looked as good as advertised, it’s likely he’ll spend his Redshirt Freshman season as the fourth string quarterback.