Anthony Smith

For some reason, Smith has "flown under the radar" when it comes to national postseason honors the last few years. One look at his playmaking ability on defense and special teams and you realize that those selectors have never seen him perform. If they did, they would see a vocal team leader with a tremendous work ethic and the ability to constantly disrupt the offensive flow of the game. Smith was an All-Midwest Region selection by Prep Stars, adding first-team NEO Island All-District, All-Trumbull County and The Herald 22 honors as a senior and junior at Hubbard High School. He was also named the team's Best Offensive Back during his final two seasons. Smith had six interceptions and rushed for 1,787 yards and scored 29 touchdowns for an 11-1 team as a senior. He posted 45 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups and rushed for 1,475 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn All-State honors as a junior. Originally recruited as a running back, Smith appeared in eight games as a reserve free safety for Syracuse in 2002. He led the team's reserve unit with 31 tackles (18 solos), including two stops for losses and a fumble recovery. He took over free safety duties full-time in 2003, ranking third on the squad with a career-high 106 tackles (68 solos). He recovered and caused a fumble, deflected three passes and intercepted five more. He also proved to be a valuable special teams performer, blocking two punts and returning one for a score. Smith was named second-team All-Big East Conference as a junior. He again ranked third on the team with 85 tackles (49 solos) and caused a fumble while blocking three punts, returning one for a touchdown. He also had three interceptions, including one for a score, and four pass breakups. Smith earned first-team All-Big East honors as a senior, ranking third on the squad for the third consecutive season with 71 tackles (50 solos), adding three sacks and five stops for losses. He deflected six passes, recovered three fumbles and caused two others. He had six interceptions and blocked one kick. In 46 games at Syracuse, Smith started 35 times. He ranks third in school history among defensive backs with 293 tackles (185 solos), adding three sacks for minus-17 yards and eight stops for losses of 24 yards. He recovered five fumbles and caused four others. Smith ranks third in school history with 14 interceptions for 171 yards in returns and a touchdown. He deflected 17 passes and set a school career record with six blocked kicks, gaining 113 yards on returns with a pair of touchdowns.

positives

Has good upper body muscle definition, a tight waist and the sudden closing burst and change of direction needed to keep plays in front of him...Has natural explosion closing on the ball and very good key-and-diagnose ability...Does a good job sifting through traffic to locate the ball...Shows the ball anticipation skills and range to cover the wide end of the field and does not waste much motion getting into stride in attempts to close...Has very good leaping ability and the natural hands to extend and reach for the ball at its high point...Lacks ideal bulk, but can explode behind his hits when he squares his shoulders and keeps his pads down...Takes good angles to shorten his path to the ball, compensating for a lack of blazing speed...Plays with good urgency and is an avid film guy who puts in the extra hours preparing for his upcoming opponent.

in some run situations, he will play in the box, showing good instincts to sift through traffic and locate the ball. smith has very good zone awareness and the ability to break quickly on the quarterback indicator with good closing speed on short and intermediate routes. he is quick to see screens and drive on them, and when playing from a level safety position, he is solid getting a jam on the receiver, along with turning his head quickly back to the inside.

Smith is quick to react to the run and supports with adequate angles, using his hands well to strike and shed. He is a solid wrap tackler for the most part, but needs to keep his pads low and get into position to square up and make the big hit, as he does not break down well when in long pursuit.

negatives

A little bit top-heavy, as he has good upper body muscle tone but a small bubble and thin legs, thighs and calves...More quick than fast, but his lack of speed causes problems in man coverage, as he is adequate handing tight ends and backs in the short area, but can't stay with receivers in long routes...Has good change of direction agility, but his hip stiffness causes him to gather a bit and he does not turn cleanly coming out of his breaks...Good tackler when he keeps his pads down, but when he has to give long pursuit, he will revert to arm-tackling or ankle-diving to compensate for being caught out of position.

smith is a tough athlete who impressed most scouts by playing the 2004 season with a broken right hand. he is a smart and instinctive player who is quick to break down plays and is good at reading blocking schemes. he has an adequate backpedal, but is a bit stiff in his hips, preventing him from turning and running on breaks cleanly.

Most of the time, he will line up in a press position and cross-over run on the snap, showing the balance and body control to string plays out. His change of direction agility is good when pressing and he will use his hands effectively to reroute tight ends and backs at the line of scrimmage. Sometimes in long pursuit, he might reach a little too far and not be in the best position to make the play, but he shows good recovery speed and urgency getting back into the action.

2004: Played most of the season with a broken bone in his right hand, but did not miss any games.

Campus: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash (indoor rubber track)

Right-handed. Combine: 4.7 in the 40-yard dash

2.71 20-yard dash

1.62 10-yard dash

Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times

41-inch vertical jump

10'5" broad jump

4.35 20-yard shuttle

6.75 three-cone drill

30 7/8-inch arm length

8 ½-inch hands.

Attended Hubbard (Oh.) High School, playing football for head coach Jeff Bayuk

All-Midwest Region selection by Prep Stars, adding first-team NEO Island All-District, All-Trumbull County and The Herald 22 honors as a senior and junior

Named the team's Best Offensive Back during his final two seasons

Had six interceptions, rushed for 1,787 yards and scored 29 touchdowns for an 11-1 team as a senior

Posted 45 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups and rushed for 1,475 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn All-State honors as a junior.

Retail and Consumer Studies major

Son of Charlotte and Homer Smith

Born Anthony B. Smith on 9/20/83

Resides in Hubbard, Ohio.