People’s names are more than just monikers.
They are the first introduction. They can show the extension of one’s family tree or an expression of one’s culture – and they allow us to acknowledge people’s identities with respect.
And for people like Micah Smith, a name serves as a reminder of one’s true potential.
Smith – who dons the middle name “Champion” – often goes by “Champ” among loved ones and refers to himself as such on social media.
“I always listen to a pregame speech,” Smith said. “It’s like ‘I am a champion,’ and it gets me into that mode – because that’s me. That’s what I go by. That’s what fuels me.”
The newly minted Bruin will call Westwood his home for the foreseeable future, where he can make himself a true champion at the Rose Bowl.
Smith – a four-star offensive lineman out of Vero Beach High School in Florida – is part of UCLA’s 2026 recruiting class. Smith is the No. 46-ranked recruit, according to ESPN, and made his commitment to the Bruins official in June.
Smith is the Bruins’ highest-ranked signee since No. 2-ranked Dante Moore in 2023 and the best offensive lineman since Xavier Su’a-Filo in 2009.
“When I come in – when my class comes in – I want the ‘26 class to be the best,” Smith said.
Standing at nearly 6-foot-6-inches and weighing in at 325 pounds, Smith possesses the physical traits to dominate in the Big Ten.
“The doctor had always said that he thought that he would be a 6-foot-4, 6-foot-6 kid,” said Kendrick Willis, Smith’s offensive line coach at Vero Beach. “Just to see him continue to grow, to continue to get bigger, his athleticism is still growing. Most of the time, you have big kids who aren’t as athletic. They’re clumsy. They’re falling all around. His body, the way he grew – he was so athletic.”
When he was six years old, Smith began playing baseball at a local RBI program headed by Willis, and his high school coach joked that baseball may have been Smith’s real love over football. Athletic achievement aside, it was Smith’s character that has always stood out to those around him – including Willis.
And Willis’ eye for developing character and talent speaks for itself.
Vero Beach High School has a storied history of notable names to have walked through its halls, many of whom were products of Willis’ tutelage.
Bryan Stork graduated in 2009, before embarking on a prestigious five-year career as a center at Florida State, where he was named an All-American in 2013. Stork would eventually go on to be drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, starting 11 games and winning a Super Bowl as a rookie.
Other notable students of Willis include offensive lineman Marcus Jackson, who was a 2011 First Team Freshmen All-American at Tennessee, and defensive lineman Travonte Boles, who earned Second Team All-MAC Defense honors in 2013 at Western Michigan.
Despite such a résumé, Willis notes that Smith is one of the most talented athletes he has ever worked with, even comparing him to three-time All-Pro offensive lineman Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers.
“He (Smith) doesn’t feel like he’s bigger or better than you,” Willis said. “Just an all-around great character, and just a great kid to look up to. He’s a phenomenal role model for young kids and superstars as well.”
For a program such as UCLA, bringing in a Floridian deviates from the pattern of drawing from the Southern California football pipeline.
Smith chose to come to the West Coast over SEC schools that would have kept him closer to home, such as Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee. He even signed with UCLA over Big Ten rival and No. 11 Illinois.
“The relationship with the coaches and opportunity – there’s a lot of opportunities, not only on the field but off the field in LA,” Smith said. “The connections I can make, the degree from UCLA and just being in LA in general – it’s just so many connections and different things that can help me build my life.”
It was Smith’s relationship with the Bruins’ coaching staff, however, that ranked highest.
While he had some conversations with former UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster, who encouraged him not to “follow the trends,” Smith was formally recruited by offensive line coach Andy Kwon, who came to UCLA this past offseason after three years at Arkansas State. During his time with the Red Wolves, Kwon helped mentor three linemen to All-Sun Belt Conference teams.
“When I came to UCLA for the first time, he (Kwon) had a PowerPoint ready for me, and it was ‘A Champion’s Legacy,’” Smith said. “It was amazing. He laid the whole plan out. He’s the real deal. When he told me that, I was like, ‘I can play for this guy. This is my coach right here.’”
And with all but one of UCLA’s starting offensive linemen entering at least their fourth year, Smith could see immediate in-game snaps with a unit that protected the Big Ten’s worst rushing offense in 2024.
Despite venturing far from home, Smith will move to California with a robust support system in place.
Smith credits his connection to redshirt junior offensive lineman Julian Armella as another contributing factor to his commitment decision. The two Floridians had a friendship before Armella transferred to UCLA this offseason, and Smith cited how the two would often hang out together in their free time.
Not only will Smith have his new locker room behind him, but his coaches, teammates and family back home remain involved in his journey.
“They’ve (Smith’s parents) asked questions and did the research, going to different schools,” Willis said. “Just trying to figure out – not only as a player – where does he fit in this family, in this culture, in this program? How does that better him as a person and as a player, on and off the field?”
Smith is determined to keep improving in his last year of high school before coming to Westwood.
But it will be over the following four years when Smith will add to his legacy and show what kind of “Champ” he is – making his title not just a name, but a lifestyle.
“My mindset is always to dominate,” Smith said. “It’s never being content because there’s always something you can work on. When you’re going into a game, there’s always a big target on your back. When you have offers and you’re committed, there’s a huge target painted on your back. People are coming after you, so you have to go out there and dominate and give it your all. Do not settle for mediocrity.”
Comments are closed.