Two Smiths are still waiting for the call
Chaney's Brad Smith and Hubbard's Anthony Smith weren't selected Saturday.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Anthony Smith and Brad Smith have more in common than just their last name. They actually played on the same youth football team.
"The Sons of Thunder," said Anthony Smith, a Hubbard High graduate who was a standout safety at Syracuse the past four years. "Probably third or fourth grade. He was my little league quarterback and I was the tailback."
Today, they'll likely be linked by one more thing: the NFL draft. Neither Smith was chosen on the first day of the draft, which covered the first three rounds. But both should be drafted in today's second day, which covers rounds four through seven.
"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. When guys like [Chaney's Michael] Zordich or [Fitch's Jeff] Wilkins make it in the NFL, they love watching them.
"Everyone around here pulls for the local kids, as they should."
Keeps tabs on others
Brad Smith, a standout quarterback at Chaney and Missouri, 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. "We keep up with each other.
"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).
Holds NCAA record
Smith is also the only player in NCAA Division I-A history to throw for 8,000 career yards and run for 4,000.
Anthony Smith would become 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 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).
"This year, there's a big interest in the draft locally," Bayuk said. "It's not just Hubbard, but all the kids that played against Anthony or played with him in all-star games. They can say, 'I know that kid."
And Bayuk isn't just following Anthony. He's rooting for Brad, too.
"I'll be thrilled when Brad gets drafted," Bayuk said. "He played in the [Mahoning Valley Coaches Association] all-star game and my kid saw him play."
Two drafted last year
Two area players were drafted last year. Sharon High's Marlin Jackson, a defensive back from Michigan, was drafted by the Colts in the first round. And, of course, Warren Harding's Maurice Clarett, a standout for one season at Ohio State, was chosen with the final pick in the third round by the Denver Broncos.
Jackson became a solid contributor with Indianapolis, while Clarett was released during the preseason. Clarett was reportedly headed to NFL Europe before being arrested for armed robbery in early January. He is awaiting trial.
Syracuse running back Walter Reyes, a Struthers High graduate, was not drafted last year, but signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans last summer. He was released in training camp.
scalzo@vindy.com