brady smigiel

First in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park quarterback.

Honored as the The Times’ player of the year in 2024. Passed for more than 3,200 yards. Completed 49 touchdown passes. Won a Southern Section Division 2 championship. Committed to Michigan for college. Rated a five-star quarterback by one recruiting service.

Has Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park High accomplished everything he wanted to do in high school going into his senior year?

“I can argue I’m getting even hungrier,” said the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder.

His former receiver Shane Rosenthal, who is now at UCLA, has known Smigiel since their tee-ball days. Rosenthal said his best friend is never satisfied.

“He knows there’s things to improve on,” Rosenthal said. “This is just the start of his career. He’s got college next and hopefully the NFL. This is not his final destination. He knows where he wants to get to.”

Smigiel intends to keep the pedal to the metal as he plays his final season under his father, head coach Joe Smigiel. He was the one who threw a container filled with Gatorade on his father’s head last season, drawing a nasty stare because dad had a cold and didn’t need to get wet.

All is forgiven and his father would gladly accept another drenching with a little warning this time. The challenge for son will be developing chemistry with his new group of receivers and continuing to progress reading defenses, something he did extraordinarily well in dropping his interceptions to three last season after 14 in 2023.

“There’s no replacing Shane, but there are some very good athletes that came in,” Smigiel said.

Despite his success the last three seasons, which include 11,222 yards passing and 147 touchdowns, Smigiel insists he has not lost his focus.

“There’s a new challenge every season and to know I’m going to college in less than a year makes me even hungrier,” he said. “I want to be able to get better every single day.”

In April, an example of his day was getting to school at 6:30 a.m. and getting home at 8 p.m. after workouts, classes and training. He has entrusted his training to a staff dedicated to giving him the tools to succeed.

“You just want to get stronger and faster,” he said. “I’m a tall build, so there’s a lot of mass to put weight on. I dropped some bad pounds and started working on my speed training to get more explosive.”

He has made a commitment to Michigan, believing the school is the best fit for his quarterback style, academics and development on and off the field. He’s pursuing his dream — the NFL. He remembers being inspired after watching the draft with former Newbury Park and NFL defensive back Darnay Holmes.

Newbury Park coach Joe Smigiel with sons Brady, left, and Beau.

(Nick Koza)

“My dream has been to be in the NFL my whole life,” he said. “Darnay was at our house and the draft was on and my mom was having a conversation with him. He was about my age right now and his dream was to play in the NFL and the fact it happened and can happen to people you know, it really opened my eyes and is 100% a dream of mine.”

During a nutrition break last spring, Smigiel was hanging out with Rosenthal and looked up the future schedules for Michigan and UCLA. The Bruins will be in Ann Arbor in 2026, with the Wolverines coming to the Rose Bowl in 2027. The best buddies are making plans.

“We’ll be doing a jersey exchange,” Rosenthal said. “I want to be on the same field again.”

Smigiel has matured throughout high school. He has grown constantly, whether in school, his physical dimensions, or his faith. His new offensive coordinator, former Utah quarterback Cam Rising, is helping him become even more prepared for the next level.

The Smigiel journey continues, and it’s going to be quite a ride to follow.

Wednesday: Valencia running back Brian Bonner.

Quarterbacks to watch

Bryson Beaver, Vista Murrieta, 6-3, 195, Sr.: Oregon commit passed for 3,214 yards, 33 touchdowns last season

Corin Berry, Charter Oak, 6-3, 185, Sr. Purdue commit passed for 3,034 yards, 33 touchdowns in 2024

Wyatt Brown, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 6-4, 190, Sr.: Santa Monica transfer is ready for Mission League

Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Ohio State commit has great arm, good instincts and is big-time in the clutch

Ryan Hopkins, Mater Dei, 6-3, 190, Sr.: Wisconsin commit is one of the fastest QBs in the state

Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral, 5-9, 175, Jr.: Completed 68% of his passes with only four interceptions

Koa Malau’ulu, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 175, So.: Threw for 19 touchdowns as a freshman

Ryan Rakowski, Palos Verdes, 5-11, 170, Jr. : Passed for 2,809 yards, 24 touchdowns last season

Oscar Rios, Downey, 6-3, 180, Sr.: Arizona commit is terrific passer, runner and leader

Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park, 6-5, 210, Sr.: Michigan commit has passed for 147 TDs in three seasons

Newbury Park will begin the football season without standout linebacker Balen Betancourt, who is recovering from off-season knee surgery, along with several receiver transfers who will be sitting out until Sept. 29.

The Panthers are expected to be much better after their fifth game but still have enough to get through an improved nonleague schedule with All-American quarterback Brady Smigiel leading the way. That was coach Joe Smigiel’s prediction during a Conjeo Coast League media gathering on Thursday.

Newbury Park’s new offensive coordinator is alumnus Cam Rising, the former Utah quarterback.

“He’s amazing,” Smigiel said. “He brings so much to the table.”

Interesting note: Smigiel and Betancourt have been playing together since fourth grade. Betancourt drives from Ventura. He played for Smigiel’s father, Joe, growing up.

Instead of creating a lemonade stand, Calabasas’ Hardy brothers could open up a sporting goods stand considering all the footballs around the house. Dezmyn Hardy is a 6-foot-5 senior receiver. Brother Dominik is a junior quarterback. And there’s their brothers ages 12 and 9. Dezmyn said he estimates at least 15 footballs are available to use.

The passing duo should be outstanding this season. Both have continued to grow and add weight. Dominik passed for 2,117 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, when Dezmyn had 53 catches and seven touchdowns.

Calabasas has the makings of a dynamic offensewith receiver Kingston Celifie and running back Kayne Miller, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards. Miller’s twin brothers are walk-ons at USC.

Malachi Johnson of Santa Barbara was the Conejo Coast lineman of the year last season.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

There’s lots to like about 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior offensive tackle Malachi Johnson, the reigning league lineman of the year from Santa Barbara. For one, he says he hasn’t allowed a sack in two years. He also wants to find a college program that’s about family more than business.

He has long blond hair that he began growing out in 2020 during the COVID era and hasn’t cut it since other than occasional small trims. He has excellent grades and could become a much-desired blocker if he starts well this season.

New Thousand Oaks coach Branden Anderson got to coach Smigiel last season. Now he gets to work with Thousand Oaks quarterback Jackson Taylor, a Boise State commit. He said he feels fortunate and both have similar qualities when it comes to being accurate with strong arms.

As for Taylor’s offseason, he said, “There’s a lot of stuff mechanically I wanted to clean up. Also pocket presence is a big thing for me.”

First-year Westlake coach Rick Clausen has been around some good head coaches during his playing and assistant coaching careers (Nick Saban, Jumbo Fisher, Bill Redell). He said he’ll take things he learned from everyone.

The Clausen family is known for working with quarterbacks since he and brothers Casey and Jimmy were quarterbacks.

He was asked who’s the quarterback coach this season: “As of right now, it’s me. When Jimmy shows up, I’ll pass the torch to him. When Casey shows up, I’ll pass the torch to him. It’s a committee.”

Westlake will have one of the most promising freshman quarterbacks in Ford Green, a 6-2, 195-pounder who was impressive in a spring appearance.

Rio Mesa is turning to 6-3 tight end Alec Fontyn to take over quarterback duties from the graduated J.J. Bittner, a four-year starter.

Fontyn, also an outfielder for the baseball team, played quarterback earlier in his career and has been a two-sport standout since freshman season.