Priority Quarterback Target Maealiuaki Smith Arrives in Provo for BYU Official Visit

Smith is being pursued by Power Five programs across the country

Casey Lundquist | Jun 9, 2023

Priority Quarterback Target Maealiuaki Smith Arrives in Provo for BYU Official Visit /

Highly coveted quarterback Maealuiaki Smith has arrived in Provo for his BYU official visit. Smith, who is a top priority in BYU's 2024 class, posted a picture on Instagram from Lavell Edward's Stadium.

Coveted QB Maealiuaki Smith in Provo for his official visit ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/P6fBByAIro
— Casey Lundquist (@casey_lundquist) June 10, 2023

Maealuiaki Smith is a native of Northern California with offers from across the country. He recently told 247Sports that he also plans to take official visits to Michigan State and Oklahoma State. Smith has the kind of size and talent that would allow him to compete for the starting job as soon as he arrives on campus - his ceiling is as high as any quarterback that BYU is recruiting in the 2024 class.

It's not only his talent that would allow him to compete for the starting job in 2024, but the opportunity that would be waiting for him in Provo. Kedon Slovis will start for BYU at quarterback this season. After 2023, BYU's starting quarterback spot will be up for grabs. Quarterbacks that are currently on the roster like Jake Retzlaff, Ryder Burton, and Cade Fennegan will compete for that spot when the time comes. But there's also an opportunity for a guy like Maeliuaki Smith to come in and compete right away.

During his recruitment, Smith has received 20 offers including offers from Florida State, Washington, Utah, Miami, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, and Arizona among others. Smith made a trip to Provo for an unofficial visit in April, and BYU made a big enough impression to earn a return trip this month.

Smith has a big arm, ideal size, mobility and awareness in the pocket, and an ability to extend plays and keep his eyes downfield. You can check out his junior highlights below.

BYU will have to put its best foot forward to land a commitment. If the Cougars can get Maealuiaki on board, he would be the centerpiece of what could become a great 2024 recruiting class.

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Published Jun 9, 2023

CASEY LUNDQUIST

Casey Lundquist is the publisher and lead editor of Cougs Daily. He has covered BYU athletics for the last four years. During that time, he has published over 2,000 stories that have reached more than three million people.