Former Southmoreland QB Anthony Smith enrolls at high school in West Virginia

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 30, 2025 | 3:56 PM

Maligned sophomore quarterback Anthony Smith, who transferred from Southmoreland to Seton LaSalle where he was ruled ineligible for the season, has enrolled at Fairmont Senior High School in Fairmont, W.Va.

Smith (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), a Division I prospect with three scholarship offers, was added to the Polar Bears’ roster Tuesday and is now subject to West Virginia’s transfer rules.

Fairmont is a Class 3A school and plays in the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, which has five classifications.

Smith said he is eligible to play right away.

The WVSSAC has a one-transfer rule, which allows each high school student-athlete to change schools one time in their four years with no penalty.

Out-of-state transfers must establish residency in West Virginia, and both schools must sign off on the move to ensure the move is not motivated by athletics.

Fairmont opens the season next Friday at home against Robert C. Byrd.

Smith last season threw for a school-record 2,110 yards as a freshman at Southmoreland.

His transfer to Seton LaSalle came under fire after the WPIAL ruled him ineligible for the season due to athletic intent.

Smith and his attorney, Steve Toprani, appealed to the PIAA, but the state’s governing body for prep athletics also denied the quarterback.

Initially, Smith sought a preliminary injunction against both leagues, and a Westmoreland County judge granted him permission to play in the Rebels’ scrimmage, but Smith did not play.

Instead, the Smith camp withdrew the injunction but will continue their lawsuit against the PIAA.

The transfer, the Smith family said, was based on cyber bullying by a Tarrs man for several months, which raised safety concerns for the quarterback.

No charges or citations have been filed against the man.

Buzz about Smith’s departure began after coach Tim Bukowski resigned after three seasons. Bukowski is now the head coach at Uniontown.

Smith’s college offers are from Syracuse, Sacramento State and Towson.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Seton La Salle, Southmoreland