Name: Hoke Smith II

Nickname: Hokie Pokie

Year: Senior

Position: Offensive Line

Height: 6"4

Weight: 305

Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.

High School: Vestavia

Major: Political Science

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What other schools offered you and what was it about Navy that made you come here? Navy was the only one I cared about. How could anyone not want to come here

What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football?  Come win a lot of games and meet the best friends of your life. 

If you could play another position, what position would you play and why?  Quarterback, because I throw a better ball than Brax and Jackson 

If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why?  Alabama, I grew up going to games in Tuscaloosa and it would be really cool to play in Bryant Denny. 

Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why?  Foreign Policy, I learned a lot of interesting stuff about what is going on around the world and America's stance on it all from a professor who really knew what he was talking about. 

Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy?  CAPT. Brereton, my EE professor, who made a boring class interesting and did a lot to help me. 

Favorite form of social media and why?  Instagram or x (twitter). Both are easy to keep up with all the sports news.  

Favorite person to follow on social media and why? Three gentlemen that are doing the Lord's work

Scott Strasemeier: @ScottStras 

Bill Wagner: @BWagner_CapGaz

Tim Nolan: @timnolantv

If you could have dinner with any 4 people that are currently at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why? Captain Mendenhall, Lt. General Borgshulte, USMC (the Supt.), Josh Bost and Coach Kiritsy. It would be a great time with great conversation.

Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why?  Basketball, lacrosse and wrestling. I have a bunch of buddies on those teams and love watching them succeed. 

What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field?   Frogman by Whiskey Myers 

What is your dream vacation?   I'd love to do a spring trip to Montana where we could go skiing, fly fishing, golfing and horseback riding all on the same trip. 

Favorite Coach Newberry Quote: Standards over feelings. 

Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2026?  Vic Listorti 

Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2026?  Aiden Lyczeck 

Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team? Gage Leonard 

What player epitomizes Navy Football?  Connor Heater 

Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2026?  Cam Nichols 

Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2026?  Coleman Cauley

What are you most looking forward to in 2026?  Keeping the CIC at home and playing UAB in Birmingham. 

 
Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know?  I am still the best basketball player on the football team. 

If there was a movie about your life what would it be called and who would play you?  

No country for old Hoke. 

My cousin Jack Wright would play me.  

If you could play another sport at the Naval Academy, what would it be? Basketball 

Who is your favorite Navy athlete to watch outside of football?  Nick Golini (lax), AJ Marsh (lax) and Danny Wask (wrestler)

 

What does it mean to wear "Navy" across your chest? It means the absolute world to me. This place has a deep personal connection with me and my family. I also think of all those that have gone before us and worn the jersey and all of the sacrifices that they have made. All I want to do is make those that have gone before me proud and hopefully inspire some in the next generation. We are part of something much bigger than ourselves. 

 

What leadership lesson has football taught you? It has taught me that nothing is free and rent is due every day. Also, enjoy the journey.  

Which upperclassman impacted you the most when you arrived? Ben Purvis, Brent Self and Blake Horvath

What's one quality every successful midshipman needs? Grit

Which teammate would make the best Commandant? Casey Smith 

 

Which teammate would make the best Superintendent? Carson De Avila

Who talks the most trash in practice? Cam Nichols 

Which player would make the best coach someday? Jackson Gutierrez 

Who has the best game-day energy? Jake Polito

Favorite road stadium you've played in? South Bend

Favorite uniform combination? White on White or Blue on Blue

Which current NFL player do you model your game after? A combination or Eli Heidenreich and Landon Robinson

What's one thing fans should watch for from your position group this year? Five guys playing as one, coming off the ball. 

What's your favorite part of game day? The locker room after a win or seeing family on the field right after a win. No better feeling. 

Who's the funniest teammate? Conner Lessane and Joshua Guerin.  

Name two players that you think are future team captains?  Malcolm Johnson and Phillip Hamilton 

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