PLAYER BIOS
PENN STATE FOOTBALL 2013
75
24
SHRIVE
SMITH
ERIC
ANTHONY
6-6 ➤ 317 ➤ Sr./Sr. Eligible
6-0 ➤ 187 ➤ Fr./Fr. Eligible
Guard/Tackle ➤ West Scranton, Pa. Entering his senior season, Eric Shrive has had at least three main priorities to focus on: 1) continue on schedule to graduate in December; 2) play a more significant role on the football team and 3) help Penn State Uplifting Athletes take its fund-raising total to new heights. That’s a lot on the plate of the Scranton native, who is enrolled in Penn State’s world-renowned hotel, restaurant and institutional management program. But, the out-going Shrive embraces the opportunities and the challenges with determination, a great work-ethic and a smile. Shrive appeared in all 12 games on offense and special teams, seeing action at guard and tackle last season. The talented, strong and versatile player was primarily focused on the tackle positions during spring practice and should have an opportunity to challenge for a starting assignment. Shrive was elected president of Penn State’s chapter of Uplifting Athletes last winter after two years as vice president. Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit charitable organization that raises funds and awareness for rare diseases. The past two years, he played a large role in the organization of the football team’s Penn State Lift For Life, resulting in record totals above $100,000 in 2011 and 2012 for the Kidney Cancer Association. In 2011, the fight became personal for Shrive when an uncle was diagnosed with kidney cancer. During the past two years, Shrive has raised nearly $70,000 for kidney cancer patients and their families via the Lift For Life. Shrive was awarded the 2013 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award for his efforts off the field and was recognized at the 2013 Maxwell Dinner and the Uplifting Athletes Gridiron Gala, for his achievements. The former West Scranton High School all-state honoree announced at a Nittany Lion basketball game that the Uplifting Athletes leadership was aiming to raise a record total of $300,000 this year to push the all-time total past $1 million. ➤ 2012 ➤ Senior Season
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Shrive appeared in all 12 games on offense and special teams. He saw action at guard and tackle. He helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Zach Zwinak and protected quarterback and former West Scranton High School teammate Matt McGloin during his record-setting 2012 campaign. Off the field, Shrive served his second year as vice president of Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes chapter. He raised $31,868 for the Penn State Lift for Life to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association, boosting the chapter’s 2011-12 total to a record total in excess of $110,000. ➤ 2011 ➤ Junior Season Shrive saw his most extensive playing time in the wins over Indiana State and Eastern Michigan. He helped the Nittany Lions rush for 245 yards and gain 468 total yards against the Eagles. ➤ 2010 ➤ Sophomore Season In his first season on the field, Shrive battled upperclassmen Chima Okoli and DeOn’tae Pannell for playing time at right tackle. Shrive saw his most extensive action in the 41-24 win over Indiana at FedEx Field, where the Nittany Lions gained 496 yards, with 24 first downs. He also saw time in the win over Youngstown State. ➤ 2009 ➤ Freshman Season Redshirt season. ➤ High School A highly-recruited lineman, Shrive played for Coach Mike DeAntona at West Scranton High School. He was a two-time all-state, all-region and all-conference selection. Scout.com ranked Shrive the nation’s No. 2 offensive tackle and a five-star recruit. Rivals.com rated him the No. 3 prospect in Pennsylvania, the No. 11 offensive tackle and No. 88 overall player in the nation in 2008. Shrive played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He also participated in wrestling and track and field. ➤ Personal Full name is Eric Dennis Shrive. He is the son of Dennis and Jane Shrive. He has two older brothers, Jason and Jeff. Shrive has had three cousins attend Penn State. In his spare time, he likes to hunt, fish, golf and spend time with family and friends. He is studying hotel, restaurant and institutional management and is interested in owning a hotel or restaurant after completion of his football career. Born September 20, 1999 in Scranton, Pa.
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Cornerback ➤ Dover, N.J. Anthony Smith had demonstrated his versatility and team-first attitude prior to matriculating to Penn State, qualities that will greatly aid his efforts to earn time in the secondary rotation this season. When Smith was a youth football player, he began long-snapping, a role he continued in 2012 as a cornerback at Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy. In his team’s first game last year, the starting quarterback was injured and Smith stepped up and went behind center. He was among seven Nittany Lions to enroll in the University in January and participate in winter conditioning and spring practice. The former Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.) High School standout made a good transition during his first semester at Penn State. Smith will have an opportunity to make an impact in the secondary and on special teams when training camp begins. Smith likely will battle Da’Quan Davis, Jordan Lucas and Jordan Smith for time in the cornerback rotation. He is one of eight returning players on the Penn State roster from New Jersey. ➤ Prep School Smith was the team MVP for Coach Josh Sands at Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy in 2012, grabbing seven interceptions from his cornerback position. When the starting quarterback was injured in the first game of the season, Smith stepped in behind center and also served as the team’s long snapper. Smith’s Valley Forge squad squared off against 2013 Nittany Lion freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s Fork Union Military Academy team during the 2012 season. ➤ High School Smith was selected second-team All-West New Jersey, first-team All-Sussex County and first-team All-Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference as a senior for Coach Brian Carlson at Pope John XIII High School in Sparta, N.J. He grabbed three interceptions, had 12 pass breakups and 25 tackles as a senior and was named first-team All-Defense by the New Jersey Herald. During his junior campaign in 2010, Smith helped the Lions to an undefeated regular-season. He was a three-year letterman under Carlson and the late Vic Paternostro, who coached Pope John XIII for 43 seasons and is New Jersey’s all-time prep football victories leader. Smith was invited to the Paul Robeson All-Star Football Classic and the Big 33 Classic. He was selected a team captain during his senior year. He also lettered in baseball. ➤ Personal Full name is Anthony Smith. He is the son of Brian Shaw, and has a younger sister, Aheelah Shaw. He plans to enroll in the Smeal College of Business. Born October 22, 1993 in Dover, N.J.