By Spencer DuPuis
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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Leesburg (January 31, 2016) — Tuscarora High School senior Daniel Smith has made commitment to continue his football career at Division I FCS Campbell University starting in the 2016-2017 school year.

“It feels great. I’m really excited to finally have a home,” the 6-foot Smith said. “I couldn’t [have]hoped for a better one.”

Smith helped lead the Huskies to a combined 28-2 record during his junior and senior seasons, which included two undefeated regular seasons, trips to the VHSL 5A state semifinal in 2014 and 2015 and a trip to the VHSL 5A state final in 2014.

In 2015, Smith was named the Cheers and LoCoSports All-LoCo Player of the Year, the VHSL 5A North region Offensive Player of the Year, the Conference 14 Player of the Year and the VHSL 5A state Quarterback of the Year.

At Campbell, Smith will look to compete for playing time early as their starter will have graduated and the backup transferred.

“I believe that it takes more than just one person to make a team,” Smith said. “But I feel as if my leadership abilities will allow my teammates to put trust and faith in me and have my back while playing up to their abilities.”

Head coach Mike Minter will enter his fourth season at the helm of the Camels in 2016. Minter is a former Carolina Panthers safety drafted in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft.

“I chose Campbell because I loved the campus as soon as I got there,” the Leesburg-native Smith said. “The coaches put a heavy emphasis on the weight room and putting in work to get better and it fit with what I believed in.”

Smith also mentioned that he plays football because he believes it’s the one sport where the team and the game is bigger than one person.

“You build the best friendships,” Smith said. “It’s a game I love to play because you can’t just walk out and just start playing, you have to put in the work before hand and to see how much it pays off is unlike any other feeling.”