UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS: JONAH STACEY-SMITH

This week, we’re catching up with one of our former standouts, Jonah Stacey-Smith, who played a key role in our 2021–2023 teams, including the historic Division 2 Championship squad. Jonah has taken the next step in his football journey, playing for the Leeds Gryphons while pursuing his university degree.

Jonah dominated whilst being part of the under-19 team.

Here’s what Jonah had to say about his experience at university and how the Knights helped prepare him:

Life as a University Player

"My football journey at uni has been really good. From my time playing American football at university, I’ve met so many great people. Living so close to each other really helps form a tight-knit group. It’s great training together, hyping each other up on the sidelines on Sundays, and then heading to the pub to watch the NFL in the evening. Being part of a sports team at uni is one of the best things I’ve done, and I couldn’t recommend it more."

How the Knights Prepared Him

"Playing with the Knights really helped me adjust to uniball. The fundamentals and skills I learned during my time with the Knights were invaluable. The quality training time and committed coaches gave me the foundation to succeed. A lot of players don’t start in their first year, but the experience I gained with the Knights allowed me to start every game since joining the Gryphons. Game experience is key—it gave me the confidence to provide feedback during games and make adjustments with my coaches."

Advice for Current Knights

"One of my biggest pieces of advice to current players is to focus on your degree. University is about academics first, but American football is growing fast across the UK, so you’ll find quality teams at many universities. Choose a degree and location you’ll enjoy, then reach out to the team’s coaches early. Getting to training before the season starts made a huge difference for me."

Message to His Younger Self

"If I could tell my younger self one thing during my time at the Knights, it would be not to worry. There’s a university out there for everyone, and American football always seems to create a great community. I was also nervous about the step up from U19s to uniball, but I felt so well prepared thanks to the Knights. It’s not something to stress over."

Jonah’s journey is a testament to the quality of coaching, experience, and preparation players gain at the Northants Knights. We’re incredibly proud of him and excited to see what he continues to achieve!

Are you ready to start your journey? Join us at our Taster Session on January 12th, 2025, and take the first step in building your story!