Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Palo Grad seeks shot at Wyoming

Anthony Smith

Courtesy photo

Anthony Smith, a 2005 Palo Verde graduate, is now a member of the Wyoming football team.

More on Anthony Smith

After attending four schools in the last four years, Anthony Smith has finally found a home.

The 2005 Palo Verde graduate is currently a walk-on and member of the practice squad with Wyoming's football team. Smith feels he has practiced good enough this fall to earn a scholarship and regular playing time the next two years.

Wyoming visits UNLV on Nov. 14, but Smith will stay in Wyoming for the game.

"I've been working so hard to get to this level and now that I'm finally here, it's almost unbelievable," Smith said. "But at the same time I feel blessed and deserving of it because I've worked hard to get this far."

Smith played running back and kick returner at Palo Verde and helped the Panthers win a state championship in 2004. Though he wasn't a full-time starter, Smith was offered a spot at Victor Valley Community College in Victorville, Calif., where he immediately made an impact as a kick returner in 2005.

But before his freshman season was complete, Smith suffered a hip injury that not only ended his first season of college football but didn't allow him to get on the field as a sophomore either.

He finished his second year at Victor Valley as a student and earned his associate's degree. On the field, however, Smith saw the interest that began to build from Division I schools disappear.

"Sophomore year is when Division I schools look at you, so that's why I didn't get any scholarships," Smith said.

Smith attended Grambling State in the fall of 2007 as a student with hopes of still catching on with another football team. Wyoming was one of the lone schools that remained interested and invited him to walk-on.

Now, he's in his best shape ever and feels that he's impressed the coaches.

"My hip doesn't bother me at all. I feel 100 percent healthy," Smith said. "The coaches have made me feel really at home here. To sit out these last couple years and have to watch football was really tough. But now I feel like I'm in the place where I'm supposed to be."

Darwin Rost, who coached Smith at Palo Verde, said his former player has a good chance to succeed in Wyoming.

"He has good speed and he ran the ball hard," Rost said. "Wyoming is one of those players that's always looking for kids. They're still rebuilding. If he continues to work hard I think he can earn a scholarship there."

Smith feels a breakout season next fall could be on the horizon.

"I've been hidden the last few years, but I want to let the world know who I am, what I'm capable of," he said. "I want to help the team win first of all, but I'm looking to become the player I always felt I was.

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].

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