Former NSU walk-on Anthony Smith leads stout Norfolk State defense against Hampton

NORFOLK, Virginia -- No scholarship offers, one opportunity.

Coming out of Maury, Anthony Smith talked to one school to pursue football: Norfolk State.

The Spartans offered him a spot as a preferred walk-on, he took it, and now Smith is a redshirt senior linebacker, a scholarship athlete and the leading tackler for Norfolk State (2-3 overall, 2-0 MEAC).

The Spartans host Hampton (3-2, 2-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Battle of the Bay.

"I'm a fighter," said Smith, who has 51 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. "I just can't quit no matter what."

Before he learned that, Smith spent his first two years on the bench or on special teams. Smith spoke with former NSU standout Keenan Lambert about whether or not to continue playing.

"I knew him from when I was growing up," Smith said. Lambert also played at Maury, graduated from NSU in 2015 and played five games for the Oakland Raiders.

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