There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the school year and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players.
This week: Minnesota redshirt junior DE Anthony Smith.
The 2025 Minnesota Golden Gophers football season begins this Thursday, August 28, at home vs. Buffalo.
Redshirt junior defensive end Anthony Smith pointed out last week, almost seven days before the season opening game, that he and his teammates have been waiting and working toward this since January.
“All [of us] are very excited to go,” declared Smith at the Gopher stadium during a media event. “We’ve been feeling it since January, and you put in the work — you put in the work in the winter, you put in the spring ball, and then you put in the summer workouts. And then get in the fall camp.
“We’re really excited to go against our opponent,” he continued.
When he’s not playing football, or in the classroom, Smith can be found on the slopes or on the lake — he loves being outdoors, especially snowboarding. Growing up in Pennsylvania, and now in Minnesota, there’s no shortage of cold, snow and sunshine.
“I definitely enjoy snowboarding a lot,” admitted Smith. “As a kid, my grandfather used to take me snow tubing. I think I picked it up in around third or fourth grade, and I really just took off from there.
“Nothing beats when it’s cold out. There’s a good snow on the ground and you get to go downhill. It’s a getaway…,” he reiterated. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the winters. I like snow, but I do like summers. I do like being outside.”
Smith was an all-state prep athlete in football, basketball, and the shot put and discus in track. After being redshirted, he played in two games and made one tackle in 2022. The last two seasons, however, he has played in all games (26 total), and started three in 2024. He led Minnesota with 11.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with six sacks.
“I definitely do enjoy playing defensive end,” said Smith. “Anywhere I can go on the field to help my team win, give my team the best chance to win, is where I want to play. I love playing football, so wherever you want to put me, I enjoy doing it.”
Scouts are projecting Smith as a future NFL draft pick: “Yes, sir, I’m definitely looking to play professional football in the National Football League, God willingly. That’s why I want to be a football player. And whenever that happens, I’ll be ready, I know for sure.”
The 6’6” 285-pound lineman from Shippensburg, Pa. is expected to start at defensive end. Smith said he likes the 2025 Gopher squad: “Everybody’s getting coached. It’s really exciting to have that feeling now.”
He is seen as among the team leaders. “First of all, I feel honored that my teammates see me as a leader,” stressed Smith. “It’s pretty cool.”
He said he watched previous team leaders as models. “You take bits and pieces of how they did everything. I feel very honored that my teammates see me in that light,” he added.
Everyone around Dinkytown is excited for this year’s Gopher football season to begin, but not more than the players themselves.
“We all take coaching really well,” said Smith. “We all can learn off each other rather than having one singular voice telling us this is what we do wrong. Everybody leads everybody and upholds the standard so well on the football team.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.