QB Javarian Smith leading Allgäu Comets to new heights

After a successful 2022 season which saw the Allgäu Comets not only make the German Football League playoffs but reach the semifinals, their offseason would begin with a search for a new quarterback. After the season, previous Comets quarterback Kenyatte Allen jumped ship to the ELF to be the new signal caller for first the Leipzig Kings and then the Stuttgart Surge.

Looking for a new player to run the offense, the Comets signed Javarian Smith.

The 6’2″ quarterback was most recently the signal caller for Prague Black Panthers of the Austrian Football League. After a season where Smith would throw for over 1,800 yards and 19 scores, we did not know what to expect from the quarterback for his first year in Germany’s top league.

Now, at the tail end of the 2023 regular season, Smith and the Comets are 8-3 and poised to make a run in the GFL playoffs again.

Smith has been one of the most electric players of the GFL season and his statistics show why. He is in the top five in almost every category for a quarterback. This includes second in passing yards (3,294) and second in passing touchdowns (41). The Allgäu quarterback has also thrown for seven touchdowns on two occasions this season.

His offensive contribution is not just through the air, his dual-threat ability has made him effective on the ground as well. Smith has racked up 570 yards and eight touchdowns using his legs.

This type of play is not new for Smith. Before finding his way to American Football in Europe, the 25-year-old from Pontiac, Michigan had an outstanding four-year career at Lake Erie College (NCAA Div-II).

While at Lake Erie, he threw for 5,328 yards and 29 touchdowns. In his senior year alone, he threw for 2,830 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 474 yards and another 11 touchdowns with the Storm.

When Smith and the Allgäu offense are on point, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the entire GFL and it is understandable why.

While the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns have dominated the “weaker” GFL South, Smith and the Comets are looking to be the team to dethrone them. With Smith’s dual-threat ability and electric playmaking, they may have a great chance of doing so in 2023.