Hubbard's Anthony Smith stays close to home

The Syracuse safety was drafted by the Steelers in the third round.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
As the celebration erupted around him Saturday evening, Anthony Smith gripped his cell phone to his ear and tried his best to stay composed.
The Hubbard High graduate who was a standout safety at Syracuse the past four years, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 19th pick of the third round and 83rd overall of Saturday's NFL draft.
"It feels pretty good," said Smith. "I'm just ready to go to work."
After playing for a Syracuse team that went 1-11 last season, Smith excited about going to a team that is coming off a Super Bowl championship.
"Hey, I'm going to try and help them win another one," said Smith, who actually grew up a Cowboys fan. "It's going to be crazy, having family so close who can come and watch me play."
History lesson
Smith is at least the third player to make it to the NFL from Hubbard. The last was Dan Benish, who won a national title with Clemson in 1981 and played with the Atlanta Falcons from 1983-86 and was a replacement player with the Washington Redskins in 1987.
Anthony finished the 2005 season at Syracuse with team-highs in interceptions (six), pass break-ups (eight), passes defended (14) and fumble recoveries (three), earning first team all-Big East honors. He finished his Syracuse career as the school's all-time leader in blocked kicks (six) and third in interceptions (14).
The Steelers flew Smith in for a visit last week, so he knew they were interested. He spent Saturday afternoon hanging out at his home in Hubbard, playing cards and doing his best not to worry about the draft.
When asked what he wants to say to the people of the Mahoning Valley, he said, "Just watch out for Anthony Smith. That's all I've got to say."
Still waiting
The Valley's other top prospect, Missouri quarterback Brad Smith, was not drafted in Saturday's first three rounds. The Chaney High graduate is expected to go sometime today in the draft's final four rounds.
"Everyone in this area watches the local kids, whether they're from high school around here or they went to college at YSU," said Hubbard coach Jeff Bayuk, who coached Anthony in high school. "That's what makes this area a special place."
Brad Smith, who will probably have to switch to receiver in the NFL, kept tabs on Anthony Smith at Syracuse. He's also followed the career of Boardman High graduate Terence Dials, who was the Big Ten player of the year at Ohio State in basketball this season and could be selected in June's NBA draft.
"Terence is doing well and Anthony's been very good the last few years," said Brad Smith, who played on a youth football team with Anthony Smith in junior high. "I look out for those guys."
Brad Smith would become at least the 12th Chaney graduate to make it to the NFL and the first since Anthony Floyd, who wasn't drafted but played briefly with the Colts from 2003-05. Floyd, who played at Louisville, signed with the Houston Texans in January and was assigned to the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe.
At Missouri, Smith broke or equaled 69 school, conference and NCAA records. He holds school and Big 12 career record for total offense (13,088) and holds 23 Missouri career records, including passing yards (8,799), rushing yards (4,289), all-purpose yards (4,419), points (284), rushing TDs (45), passing TDs (56) and consecutive games started (48). Smith also holds 11 Missouri season records, including total offense (3,605) and TDs scored (19) and eight school single-game records, including total offense (480) and nine Missouri bowl game records. He holds five NCAA career records, including rushing yards by a QB (4,289).
Smith is also the only player in NCAA Division I-A history to throw for 8,000 career yards and run for 4,000.
scalzo@vindy.com