Interview: Knee Injury has not Stopped D-I Programs from Offering Desert Pines DE Anthony Smith
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
A football beast was unleashed on the Nevada high school football fields in 2014 when Anthony Smith’s natural talent collided with an emerging self-confidence. The results from a third-party perspective was overwhelming seeing Smith named Nevada D1-A Defensive MVP 2014 and First-Team All-State 2014.
Looking to improve upon his great junior season stats when he stopped 54 ball carriers while collecting 16 sacks from his defensive end position, Smith was ready to take his game to another level when a personal setback cost him the 2015 season, a knee injury. Playing in a scrimmage for Desert Pines High School (Las Vegas) in August, the 6’3”, 255 pound, athlete tore the ACL in his left knee keeping him from reaching his full potential at the high school level.
Fortunately Division-I teams had a large enough sample size to realize Smith was the real deal. University of Nevada, Washington State, Hawaii, Colorado State, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Weber State, UNLV, and San Diego State have all extended offers. Teams with incomplete recruiting classes could still come in with offers as National Signing Day nears ready to see how Smith can help their squad. Despite his injury Washington, Oregon State, and Northwestern are still showing various levels of interest.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Anthony covering his injury and rehab and got a recruiting update in the process.
Interview
Anthony, you had a standout junior season, did you start as a sophomore?
“Yeah, I’ve started on varsity since my freshman season. I had never missed a game until my injury.”
How did your sophomore season go?
“It was alright, I had a few sacks and like 70 tackles.”
When you started becoming a big playmaker on defense where you surprised by your own accomplishments?
“No, it was just something that happened. I didn’t expect it but I went with it.”
I know about your first-team All-State honors and your Nevada D1-A Defensive MVP award, did you pick up any more awards or honors after your junior season?
“I got a lot of honors from different websites but the big one was winning team Defensive MVP.”
What did you work on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?
“I worked on getting faster and stronger. I also worked on my technique, I worked on that a lot.”
Pre-injury what was your bench press and squat max?
“My bench max was 310 and my squat max before my injury was 465. I took a month off after my injury from lifting so I’m not sure what my bench max would be right now.”
We’ve already talked a lot about your injury, I hate to ask you to relive this one more time but, how did the injury happen?
“It was during a scrimmage against Desert Oasis before the season. The cleats I had stuck into the grass, I turned, my knee twisted but my foot stayed in the grass.”
Which knee did you hurt?
“My left knee.”
When it happened did you know it was bad?
“I was hoping that it would be just a sprain. I heard it pop when it happened. I did research on ACL injuries online. If you hear a pop it could be an ACL but with sprains you can hear a pop too. I was hoping it was a sprain but found out on a Wednesday after I had a MRI that my ACL was torn. I had surgery that Friday.”
How long is your rehab?
“Nine to 10 weeks.”
How is your rehab coming along?
“My therapist says I’m ahead of schedule. It feels great after therapy.”
What all are you able to do right now with your knee from a physical standpoint?
“I can jog. At my next doctor’s appointment they are supposed to clear me to run, that’s in two weeks.”
When do you expect to be back on the field and fully healthy?
“Hopefully at six months I’ll be cleared, that’ll be in February.”
How difficult has it been for you to sit on the sidelines this season watching Desert Pines play?
“It’s different. I didn’t know how to take it because I had never missed a game. The first couple of weeks were really hard seeing everyone play. It was very emotional. I got over it about the fifth week of the season. We had our last home game two weeks ago, that was an emotional time for me. I’ve been playing since my freshman year.”
When you are fully healthy, what are your strengths on the field?
“Getting to the quarterback and I’m also good at run stopping. I need to work on my technique, I need to work on everything but that’s what I focus on the most.”
Have you used the time away from playing on the field to help further your knowledge of the game?
“I watch my D-line coach a lot. I watch film every week on our opponent.”
You have a lot of offers out there.
“I have nine.”
What schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?
“Northwestern just contacted my coach yesterday. Oregon State and Washington are in contact with me but they all kind of backed away after the injury.”
Which of the schools that have offered you have stayed on you despite your injury?
“Washington State has stayed in touch, we have a good connection. UNLV, San Diego State, Hawaii, and Colorado State are all keeping in touch.”
Have you gone on any visits yet?
“My first visit is Dec. 4 to Washington State.”
When you breakdown the different schools with a pro-con list, what are some of the things that are most important to you in a school and program?
“I’m looking for my best fit and a good campus. I’m also looking for a good chemistry with my position coach, that’s who I’ll be spending most my time with. I want a good school environment.”
Did you attend any college camps this summer?
“I went to an Arizona camp.”
How did that go?
“I did really well. They talked to me after. I was hoping to pick up an offer but…”
What do you plan on majoring in while in college?
“Kinesiology or sports medicine.”
Do you have an overall GPA you don’t mind sharing?
“3.2.”
Have you taken your ACT or SAT and squared all of that away?
“Yes, I’m qualified.”
Is there a college or NFL player you model your game after?
“My favorite player in college is Joey Bosa (DE – Ohio State). My favorite players in NFL are Terrell Suggs (LB – Baltimore Ravens) and Anthony Barr (LB – Minnesota Vikings).”
What is your favorite part of playing football?
“My favorite part about playing football is making a big play behind the line of scrimmage. I just love the game. I’ve been playing since I was five.”
Anthony, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your recruiting process.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: scout.com; Anthony Smith
Photo credit: rivals.com; Anthony Smith at a Rivals camp
Photo credit: Smith family; No. 55 Anthony Smith