Jake Smith Wins National Gatorade Player of the Year

Notre Dame Prep athlete Jake Smith won the Arizona Gatorade Football Player of the Year last week, and then was named the National Gatorade Football Player of the Year on Monday.

In a ceremony at Notre Dame Prep, Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen surprised Smith with the award. The Saints athlete is the first Arizona football player to win the honor.

Smith helped lead Notre Dame Prep to back-to-back 5A state championship appearances with two very different rosters. Last year’s Saints team graduated about 35 seniors, and Notre Dame was able to go 13-1 in 2018.

This year, Smith had 2,443 all-purpose yards and 39 total touchdowns.

Smith is committed to the University of Texas and will sign on December 19th.