Former NC State WR Anthony Smith shines with ECU, set to clash with Pack in Military Bowl

Anthony Smith spent his first four seasons of college football trying to crack NC State’s wide receiver rotation on a weekly basis. He was a part of a talented group, and his blazing track speed made him a promising wideout, but Smith couldn’t find a way to earn consistent snaps. 

Eventually, he decided to look elsewhere. Smith entered the transfer portal after last fall and found his new home at East Carolina. Smith almost immediately fit into the Pirates offense on the outside. 

The Huntington, Md., native made an instant impact in his ECU debut, a 42-3 romp over Norfolk State, with five receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. He continued that hot streak for the rest of the season, recording a career-best 38 receptions for 767 yards and six touchdowns as the Pirates’ leading receiver. 

Now, after surpassing his career totals — 13 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns — at NC State in just one season with ECU, Smith is set to see the Wolfpack again, this time as an opponent. The two teams will square off in the Go Bowling Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., on Dec. 28. 

“Anthony’s played really well for us,” ECU coach Blake Harrell said Sunday night. “We talk to our guys all the time, when you transfer and move around, it’s a new environment, a new opportunity — a fresh start. Sometimes that’s all we need as individuals to spark us and get us going. Anthony’s certainly done that and played really well for us.”

Smith started his ECU career with three straight games of five receptions and at least 56 yards. He simmered down over the next two games, but turned in three 100-yard receiving efforts over the Pirates’ final five games. 

The speedster set a new-career best performance with four catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in ECU’s 40-28 win over North Texas on Nov. 23. 

Smith’s headlining performance demonstrated his big-play potential he had in Raleigh after he averaged 18.6 yards per catch with the Pack. He increased that total to 20.2 yards per reception this fall with the Pirates to be named

Smith’s headlining performance demonstrated his big-play potential he had in Raleigh after he averaged 18.6 yards per catch with the Pack. He increased that total to 20.2 yards per reception this fall with the Pirates, earning an honorable mention selection to the American Athletic Conference all-league team. . 

For NC State coach Dave Doeren, watching Smith find success after spending four seasons within his program, is what he was expecting to see. 

“I loved that kid and wanted well for him,” Doeren said. “I’m excited for him. Anytime a guy leaves your program in good standing, which he did, you want nothing but success for those guys. Now, obviously in our game, I hope he doesn’t have any.” 

“Looking at what he’s done there, he’s made an impact for them,” Doeren later added. “I’m not surprised. He’s definitely got a great skill set.”

Smith’s arrival at ECU appears to have been a perfect match with Michigan State transfer quarterback Katin Houser. 

“I’m excited about him moving forward with our program,” Harrell said. “Him and our quarterback seem to have a connection. He has played really well and done a good job for us.”

Smith, who has one year of eligibility remaining after this fall, will be able to play against his former team twice. The Pack and Pirates will meet in his home state at the end of the month — the first postseason battle between the two since the 1992 Peach Bowl — before the squads see each other again to open the 2025 season at Carter-Finley Stadium. 

The speedy wide receiver could have extra motivation against his former squad, while the Wolfpack knows it will get its best from one of the Pirates’ most dynamic playmakers.