Oklahoma State Football's Top Commit Signs Letter of Intent
The top prospect in Oklahoma State’s 2024 recruiting class has officially signed his letter of intent.
Quarterback Maealiuaki Smith headlines the Cowboys’ recruits in 2024 and could be the future starter. He played out his high school career in San Mateo, California, at Junipero Serra. He recently led them to the 2023 CIF Open Division State Championship Game before losing to Mater Dei.
Smith earned an offer from OSU after his impressive 2022 campaign with Serra, ending with a loss in the state title game. As a junior, he threw for 2,546 yards and 34 touchdowns.
In 2022, he also completed 67.8% of his passes and threw eight interceptions. Smith added a couple of touchdowns on the ground.
He will enter OSU in the same position as Zane Flores in the 2023 season. Although Flores enrolled early to go through spring practice, he never saw any game action in his first season in Stillwater.
Smith may face a similar uphill battle in the quarterback room. However, his talent may be enough to help him compete for playing time.
As the only quarterback in the Cowboys’ 2024 recruiting class, Smith may enter his freshman season as the third quarterback behind Garret Rangel and Flores.
With 2023 starter Alan Bowman’s status for next season up in the air, OSU could go into 2024 with only one quarterback on the roster who saw the field this season. If that is the case, Smith would be competing with Rangel, who threw only 32 passes this season, and Flores, who has the same amount of college experience.
Mike Gundy has not started a true freshman in a season opener since the 2012 season, when Wes Lunt earned the starting job. While Smith likely will not start, if he can get reps behind an experienced offensive line, it could set him up for a successful career as a Cowboy.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.