Jake Smith is a seasoned player on the Arizona State roster, and he has vivid memories of Hines Ward during Ward’s Super Bowl victories with the Pittsburgh Steelers—one of which was against the Arizona Cardinals. Being a local, Smith recalls that game very well.
Now, with Ward coaching the ASU wide receivers, that history sometimes comes up in conversation.
“I told him how excited we were after Larry (Fitzgerald) scored that touchdown, thinking the Cardinals were going to win the Super Bowl, and then he had to come in and spoil it,” Smith said, laughing.
At 22 in November, Smith is in his second year with the ASU football team he has long supported as a Scottsdale native and Notre Dame Prep alum. Unfortunately, he did not play last season because the NCAA deemed him ineligible due to a two-time transfer rule.
Safety Xavion Alford faced a similar situation, making them even more eager for the Sun Devils’ season opener against Wyoming at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday at Mountain America Stadium.
Like his fellow wide receivers, Smith is thrilled to learn from an NFL legend like Ward.
“It’s really surreal,” Smith said. “Sometimes I can’t believe it. I remember watching him play when some of the younger guys might not. When I heard he was going to coach us, I thought, ‘Is this real? It’s Hines Ward.’ It’s amazing, and I’m soaking up every moment.”
Smith stood out during fall camp, excelling as a receiver and likely taking on kick return duties as well.
His journey has been long; after winning the national Gatorade Player of the Year in high school in 2018—where he accumulated 2,349 all-purpose yards, including 1,070 receiving yards, 741 rushing yards, and 538 special teams yards, along with 39 touchdowns and 20 tackles with 4.5 sacks—he seemed destined for greatness. He played a key role in helping Notre Dame reach the 5A state championship game.
The 6-foot, 200-pound player initially signed with Texas, where he spent two years, averaging 48 catches for 568 yards and nine touchdowns. He then transferred to USC, but a foot fracture prevented him from playing in any games. Smith acknowledged that the mental challenges of sitting out were nearly as tough as the physical ones, and he focused on contributing as much as possible during that time.
“Adversity is part of sports,” he noted. “You have to manage it, and my response to it is what’s most important. I took it day by day, didn’t dwell on it too much, and worked hard with the scout team, which helped me improve and benefit the team.”
Ward and head coach Kenny Dillingham are closely monitoring Smith’s workload to avoid exacerbating any past injuries.
“Jake is phenomenal,” Ward said. “The key is managing his reps to keep him efficient and on the field while avoiding soft tissue injuries. He’s a great student of the game who wants to improve daily, focusing on the details.”
Smith is eager to hit the field for the first time in nearly three years.
He cites N’Keal Harry as his favorite Sun Devil but has always enjoyed watching ASU players.
“I grew up following ASU, and it truly means a lot to me. I remember players like D.J. Foster from elementary school, as well as Jaelen Strong and many others. This is my home school in my home state, and it’s special to be able to play here.”
Following a scrimmage at the stadium two weeks ago, Dillingham commended his wide receiver.
“He looked like the Gatorade National Player of the Year,” Dillingham remarked. “It was fantastic to witness.”
Although it was only a scrimmage, Smith acknowledged that it reignited his enthusiasm.
“It was challenging and a bit strange,” Smith said. “We had a scrimmage on Saturday night that felt like a real game, and it reminded me of how much fun football is. I’m really looking forward to experiencing that feeling again on game day.”
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