Former North Johnston High standout and East Carolina standout Willie Smith is seeing extended action at left tackle today for the Washington Redskins in their contest against the New England Patriots.

Smith was a free agent signee of the Redskins after the lockout and has spent much of the season as a game day inactive.

But the suspension of left tackle Trent Williams and the injury of regular starting right tackle Jammal Brown in pregame warm ups today thrust Smith into action.

Smith had been working a lot at left tackle during practice this week.

Willie Smith is set to begin his quest for an NFL roster spot Friday when the Washington Redskins open training camp. The former North Johnston High School and East Carolina football player signed a free agent rookie contract with the Redskins on Tuesday.

Former North Johnston High School standout Willie Smith was one of just more than 300 NFL prospects to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend in Indianapolis. Smith is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman who played at East Carolina.
He placed in the top-10 at the combine among offensive linemen in both the vertical jump (30 1/2 inches) and the broad jump (8 feet, 10 inches), showing off some of the athleticism that helped him lead North Johnston to a regional championship in football and a state championship game in basketball during his playing days as a Panther.
The 2011 NFL Draft will be held April 28-30.

Former North Johnston High School standout Willie Smith will be among those participating in the offensive lineman skill drills at the NFL Combine today in Indianapolis. Smith played his college ball at East Carolina.

The combine helps NFL teams profile the upcoming prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft in April. Smith was one of just more than 300 draft eligible players invited to the combine.

He's wearing No. 46 among the offensive lineman during today's events, which is airing live on the NFL Network.

Here's Smith's bio on NFL.com:

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/willie-smith?id=2495346

Fuquay-Varina defensive tackle Shaun Underwood has his pick from about a dozen college scholarship offers.

The Mudcats will feature several special promotions during
back-to-back homestands against the Huntsville Stars (June 10-14) and
Mississippi Braves (June 16-20) at Five County Stadium. At tonight's
(Thursday) game students with vouchers received from schools in the
Five County area will receive free admission in celebration of summer
break. On Friday, the Mudcats will host its second Scout Campout Night,
weather permitting.

Wednesday, June 16, is ECU Paint It Purple
Night at the ballpark, and East Carolina University’s new head football
coach Ruffin McNeill will throw out the honorary first pitch.

Southeast Raleigh quarterback is weighing his options

Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes wide receiver may announce for Pirates

Ruffin McNeill, who coached Texas Tech to a 41-31 victory over Michigan
State in the Alamo Bowl, is a Lumberton High native who was a four-year
letterman as a defensive back at East Carolina.

East Carolina picked up a pair of recruits on Signing Day.

West Montgomery linebacker Marke Powell (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) had 68 tackles during his senior year and recovered a fumble. He helped lead West Montgomery to the state finals.

Jordan Davis is a 6-3, 290-pound offensive lineman at Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) Choctawhatchee. He played for former ECU player Greg Thomas, who also coached at Greenville Rose.