NC State’s Jacob Smith to Focus Solely on Baseball

When Jacob Smith enrolled at NC State in January, the plan was ambitious.

The talented freshman was expected to pursue one of the rarest feats in college athletics, playing quarterback for the football program while pitching for the baseball team.

That plan appears to have changed.

Smith is expected to focus exclusively on baseball moving forward, ending what would have been a unique dual-sport career in Raleigh before it ever began.

Choosing The Diamond

Smith arrived at NC State as one of the most intriguing athletes in the 2026 recruiting class.

The Reagan High School standout was committed to both Wolfpack programs and enrolled early alongside NC State’s incoming football signees this past January.

However, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March and beginning the lengthy recovery process, it appears his focus will now be solely on baseball.

Given the demands of recovering from elbow surgery while attempting to balance two Division I sports, the decision makes plenty of sense.

Longtime Baseball Commitment

While many fans first became aware of Smith through football recruiting, baseball has actually been part of his NC State journey much longer.

Smith verbally committed to play baseball for the Wolfpack on January 13, 2023.

More than two years later, he committed to NC State football as well, announcing that decision on August 6, 2025.

The dual commitment made him one of the most unique recruits in the state.

Football Background

Coming out of Reagan High School in Pfafftown, North Carolina, Smith was rated as a 3-star football prospect.

ESPN ranked him as the No. 59 overall player in North Carolina in the 2026 recruiting class.

During his senior season, he completed:

47.2% of his passes
1,133 passing yards
9 touchdowns
6 interceptions

He also drew scholarship offers from:

Duke
North Carolina
Wake Forest
East Carolina
Charlotte

What It Means For NC State Football

The move also clarifies the Wolfpack’s quarterback room heading into the fall.

NC State now has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster:

Junior CJ Bailey

Redshirt Junior Tad Hudson

Sophomore Will Wilson