In this film study of 2026 four-star QB commit Brady Smigiel, Andrew Bailey breaks down Smigiel’s skillset, his expectations in Ann Arbor, and why his name deserves to be back in the spotlight:
After embarking on an unrivaled recruiting heater, the Michigan Wolverines have quieted down for the time being. Admittedly, the reprieve is welcomed after weeks of connecting the dots, annoying our spouses with hypotheticals, and seeing the eyeball emoji in our sleep. Combing through the names in the class recently, it dawned on me that one player has been lost in the shuffle.
Quarterback Brady Smigiel — a headliner in most classes — has flown under the radar since his April commitment. Perhaps it’s bad name theory? If his name were “Cole Carter,” would we be talking about him more? Or is it the fact that fans have been more locked into Bryce Underwood than their own children?
Whatever the reason, let’s take a closer look at what Smigiel brings to the table.
Background
Smigiel is going to graduate next year as one of the most accomplished prep quarterbacks in California history. A soon-to-be four-year starter, Smigiel has improved every season at Newbury Park:
- Freshman (2022): Completed 228-for-346 passes (66 percent) for 3,479 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Named California State Freshman of the Year.
- Sophomore (2023): Completed 282-for-479 passes (59 percent) for 4,222 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Added 52 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground, and was named to the All-State first team.
- Junior (2024): Completed 219-for-336 passes (65 percent) for 3,521 yards, 49 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Added 435 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground as he led his team to a state championship. At the end of the season, Smigiel became the first junior since Najee Harris in 2015 to earn California’s Mr. Football Award.
Entering his senior year, Smigiel should receive an additional boost from his new offensive coordinator, former Utah quarterback Cam Rising.
Measurables
Smigiel is listed at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, and appears every bit of it. His frame suggests he will likely add another 10 pounds before his senior season (if he hasn’t already) and will follow a similar strength journey as Underwood when he arrives in Ann Arbor.
There is no official or unofficial 40-yard dash time, but Smigiel is faster than initially thought. Despite his large frame, he is mobile in the pocket and evasive on the perimeter. Probably in the realm of 4.8, which is more than sufficient for a quarterback to break contain and pick up the occasional first down.
High School Scouting
TL;DR: Brady Smigiel is a throwback pocket passer with sneaky athleticism and a high floor.
Comparison: Less pissed off Phillip Rivers with a V6 engine.
There is a cycle with Smigiel evaluators online.
1) “OMG, look at that frame and pocket presence! Five-star!”
Smigiel is a fun evaluation. Firstly, this kid would have been ranked a 1.000 five-star recruit any time between 1985-2010. Standing strong in the pocket, Smigiel accurately sprays the ball around the field to all three levels like a natural gunslinger. He has excellent pocket awareness and can easily maneuver and climb when needed. Despite limited arm strength, his deep ball is consistently on the money, and he throws one of the best fade routes of any prospect in this class.
2) “What the hell is that throwing motion?! Three-star!”
Smigiel has a funky release. It’s hard to describe, but it’s eerily reminiscent of Phillip Rivers the way his body and arm don’t precisely align when he throws. In the world of paralysis by analysis and traits over trophies, this release is immediately going to sour certain scouts and evaluators. However, his release is fast (the most important) and consistent. We’re not talking about Tim Tebow’s throwing motion.
3) “The athleticism is nice. Maybe a four-star?” (We are here.)
As a junior, Smigiel flashed his wheels and athleticism with more opportunities and showed an improved ability to throw on the run. Simply proving he wasn’t stuck in cement was enough to make scouts circle back despite their preconceived notions about his ceiling.
Furthermore, Smigiel showed a great feel for the chess match of football as well. Once he proved he could run, he successfully baited defenders on the perimeter, kept his eyes downfield, and struck. This further helped drive home the reports of his high football IQ and understanding of the game.
Smigiel is a gamer who has taken steps every year as a prep player. With another year ahead of him and several records within reach, expect him to take his game to new heights, but expect the evaluator cycle of analysis to continue.
Expectations at Michigan
Smigiel is an exciting prospect with a bright future. Unlike Jadyn Davis, I don’t expect his throwing motion to undergo throwing therapy, given the speed and compact nature of the mechanics, regardless of aesthetics. However, he will have to bolster another strength if he is going to overcome certain physical limitations and excel at the next level.
He is already a high-IQ player and will have to turn this into a superpower at Michigan to become a star. Fortunately, Smigiel has time. Presuming Underwood is Michigan’s starting quarterback through 2027, Smigiel will begin preparing to fight for the reins in 2028 as a third-year player.
With two full years to immerse himself in film study and preparation, there is no reason to suspect Smigiel — a player who has shown a predilection for self-improvement — will not continue to evolve into a star. But even if his full potential proves unattainable, his floor rests as a Big Ten starter.