Huntingtown High School graduate Anthony Smith is officially headed to the NFL after being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 218th overall pick.
Smith, a standout wide receiver who finished his college career at East Carolina University, now becomes one of the latest Southern Maryland athletes to reach professional football’s biggest stage.
The 6-foot-2 receiver built his reputation on speed and big-play ability. During the 2025 season at ECU, Smith hauled in 64 receptions for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns, earning First-Team All-American Conference honors. He capped off his college career with a dominant performance in the Military Bowl, recording 156 receiving yards and two touchdowns to earn MVP honors.
Before transferring to East Carolina, Smith spent four seasons at NC State, where he gradually developed into one of the program’s fastest players. After making the move to ECU in 2024, his production exploded, totaling more than 1,800 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over two seasons with the Pirates.
Smith’s football journey began in Huntingtown, Maryland, where he attended Huntingtown High School. Despite not playing varsity football during his first two years because of his size, Smith eventually emerged as one of the area’s top athletes. As a senior, he posted 918 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns while also excelling in track and field, winning Maryland state championships in both the 55-meter and 300-meter events.
NFL scouts were drawn to Smith’s elite speed and ability to stretch defenses vertically. Reports from ECU’s Pro Day showed Smith running a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, helping solidify his draft stock despite not receiving an NFL Combine invitation.
Dallas used its final pick in the draft to add depth and future potential to its receiving corps behind stars CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Analysts have already pointed to Smith’s explosive playmaking ability and special teams upside as reasons he could compete for a roster spot during training camp.
Smith now joins a growing list of East Carolina players selected by the Cowboys, continuing a connection between the program and the franchise that previously included former ECU standout Dwayne Harris and 2025 draft pick Shavon Revel Jr.
