Former Huntingtown High School standout Anthony Smith, a current East Carolina University student, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft.
Former Huntingtown High School standout Anthony Smith, a current East Carolina University student, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft.
Last Saturday afternoon in the third and final day of the National Football League draft in Pittsburgh, former Huntingtown High School standout Anthony Smith was selected in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys and will now have at least one opportunity each season to play in front of his hometown fans.
Smith, who began his collegiate career at North Carolina State University before transferring to East Carolina University in 2024, was taken by the Cowboys with the second pick of the seventh round and will potentially have the chance to play one game each season at Northwest Stadium in Prince George’s County when Dallas makes its annual visit to the nation’s capitol to face the Washington Commanders.
“Well, being a Commanders fan I was hoping that he would get drafted by our local NFL team,” said Huntingtown football coach Paul Friel, who guided the Hurricanes to the class 2A state title last fall with a 24-21 victory over longtime SMAC and county rival Northern High. “I guess I can root for the Cowboys now when they’re playing anybody other than the Commanders. Anthony was always a great player and a great kid and I’m excited for him that he gets this chance.”
Smith, a standout for the Hurricanes on their 2018 and 2019 teams, was a genuine three-way star for Huntingtown as a wide receiver on offense, corner back on defense and as the team’s punter.
Then at East Carolina University, Smith appeared in 60 games and started 26 of them, collected 2,140 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. He was selected to the first team of the All-American Conference and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Military Bowl.
“He was always willing to work hard at practice and he never really took a play off,” Friel said. “Then he really played well at East Carolina and was selected as an All-American. He did a lot of good things on their pro day and I’m sure running 4.43 for the 40-yard dash helped the NFL scouts take notice. I’m excited for him and his family.”
