The way it looks now, Golden Gophers edge rusher Anthony Smith could be a consensus All-American in 2026.
Smith, listed at 6-6, 285-pounds, had 17.5 tackles for loss and a Big Ten leading 12.5 sacks as a redshirt junior last season. The Pennsylvania native was named first team All-Big Ten by the league coaches and second team by the media.
That 2025 season has been a springboard to a summer of national projections naming him not only preseason All-Big Ten but also All-American. Here’s a look at some of the prominent sources predicting stardom for Minnesota’s sack man.
Phil Steele Publications is annually recognized as elite in evaluating college football. PSP named Smith to its All-American first team, along with Minnesota offensive senior guard Greg Johnson.
Lindy’s Big Ten preview gave Smith first team honors, too. The publication listed him No. 6 among top 10 NFL talent in the Big Ten. “Arguably the most underrated pass rusher nationally,” Lindy’s wrote.
Athlon named Smith a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten. Walter Camp Foundation also has Smith as a second teamer.
The Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team organizers made an impressive gesture to Smith by including him on a 22-man list of nominees. The final honorees will be selected by their accomplishments both on and off the field.
Per Gophersports.com: “Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities like the annual turkey drive and kids camp and he has also helped Girl Scouts sell cookies. He has also visited schools and spent time at (Minneapolis) Annunciation Catholic School last year, in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. Smith also made a four-hour trip to a school in Austin, Minn., to surprise a class that wrote him persuasive letters to visit.”
Smith has no teammates receiving the kind of preseason attention he is attracting but there are accolades for other Gophers including left guard Johnson mentioned above. The left side of the offensive line looks formidable with left tackle sophomore Nathan Roy listed as a preseason second team All-Big Ten choice by Lindy’s.
Gopher senior cornerback John Nestor was named to the watch list for the annual Lott Trophy awarded to the nation’s outstanding defensive back. PSP named Nestor and linebacker Maverick Baranowski second team All-Big Ten defense.
Baranowski received the same honor from Lindy’s, while Nestor was on the publication’s third team.
Athlon named Johnson and running back Darius Taylor to its second team All-Big Ten offense. The publication included Baranowski and Nestor on its second team defense.
Roy was third team, while Athlon fourth team choices included wide receiver Jalen Smith, safety Kerry Brown and punter Tom Weston.
The Gophers have talent but also questions to answer as they near the start of preseason camp on August 3.
The right side of the offensive line is a concern and so, too, is who emerges on offense to be a force. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey must continue his first-year performance and ideally emerge as a prolific passer. Jalen Smith could be a star catching the ball after his impressive first season in 2025. Running back Taylor is a big play runner and receiver but has no track record for being healthy all season.
The defense needs interior linemen to emerge and for a couple of standouts in the secondary to make up for the transfer of All-American safety Koi Perich to Oregon. The pass rush should be formidable with not only Smith, but newcomer TJ Bush and holdovers Karter Menz and Jaxon Howard. Minnesota’s defense, okay against the run last year but not good versus the pass, has to be better against elite teams. Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa all scored over 40 points each in 2025, while mediocre Northwestern put up 38.
Special teams should get a boost with the hiring of new coach Daniel Da Prato whose resume at other programs has been impressive. Help is needed with the Gophers ready to field a new kicker and returners.
The pre-season predictions are for the Gophers to qualify for another bowl game with a regular season record of seven to eight wins. A repeat of last season’s 5-4 Big Ten record is possible if the better players stay healthy. As referenced, there is talent but also questions including the not previously mentioned lack of proven depth in most positions.
Notoriety is not to be used as a positive; it’s always used as being famous for a negative—- i.e Jesse James, Al Capone.
Now substituted the word accolades. Thank you.
Thank you. Most writers ignore adverse suggestive criticism because of arrogance and ego. As a former English teacher, semantics , and golf writer, it’s refreshing to get a reply.