LANTANA – The college recruiting journey ended on Wednesday (Feb. 5 – National Signing Day) for AnaTay Smith.
After a long and winding road with a host of colleges, the Santaluces 2025 defensive back has signed with Ferris State, a Division II program based in Big Rapids, Mich.
The Pahokee native is part of a class of 33 players who have gone on to ink with the three-time Division II national champion (2021, 2022, 2024).
“What led me to signing with Ferris State was the fact that they made me feel a part of the family on my visit,” said Smith, who took his visit to the school on the weekend of Jan. 25-27. “I love that their coaching staff has a lot of history together.”
Smith (No. 8-ranked player from the Muck; No. 35-ranked player in Palm Beach County) pledged his verbal to Ferris State on Monday, Feb. 3, just two days before he signed there.
Ferris State is getting a truly athletic playmaker who will be in the right place at the right time. The on-field production speaks for itself, as Smith finished his senior season with the following statistics:
•54 total tackles
•4 tackles for loss
•3 interceptions
Smith helped Santaluces finish with a 8-3 record and berth in the Class 7A playoffs.
“I feel we had a solid season with having a young quarterback room,” the 5-foot-11, 160-pound defensive back said. “But there’s always that thought that we could’ve done so much better. I love that just as a team in general, it made all of the guys close in practice and outside of practice. I’m gonna miss those guys a lot. I don’t think anything could’ve been any different. Everything happens for a reason.”
Alex Muniz /
Eye Don’t Speak
Smith credited head coach Hector Clavijo III and defensive coordinator Samuel Putmon (Belle Glade native and Glades Central alum) for his overall success throughout his high school football career.
“I can’t thank those coaches enough,” Smith said. “They’ve done a lot over the years for me, developing me and making me into a better man on and off the field.”
PLEASE NOTE – Smith was selected to play in two All-Star games:
•FACA North-South All-Star Game
•Palm Beach County vs. Treasure Coast All-Star Game
PHOTO CREDITS: Alex Muniz / Eye Don’t Speak, gordoofilmz, and Samuel Putmon
VIDEO CREDITS: Future Draft Style
GRAPHIC CREDITS: Ferris State Football and Marlon Williams / marxdsgn
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