Hunter Smith is an American lacrosse defender who played for the University of Richmond from 2023 to 2026 before being selected by the Boston Cannons in the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) College Draft. His college achievements include consecutive Atlantic 10 defensive honours, multiple All-America selections and recognition among the nation’s leading players.
Originally from the Rochester, New York, area, Smith developed his skills at McQuaid Jesuit High School before establishing himself in Richmond’s defence. His selection as the 10th overall pick in April 2026 marked his move towards professional lacrosse after four collegiate seasons.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hunter Smith |
| Hometown | Rochester area, New York |
| High school | McQuaid Jesuit High School |
| University | University of Richmond |
| Playing position | Defender |
| College team | Richmond Spiders |
| Professional team | Boston Cannons |
| Major achievement | Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, 2026 |
Who Is Hunter Smith in American Lacrosse?
Hunter Smith is a lacrosse player whose defensive performances at the University of Richmond brought him conference and national recognition. He played primarily as a close defender, a position focused on marking opposing attackers, disrupting offensive opportunities, and helping protect the goal.
Representing the Richmond Spiders for four seasons, he progressed from a first-year contributor into an established starter and team captain. His performances earned recognition from the Atlantic 10 Conference, Inside Lacrosse, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA), and USA Lacrosse.
His selection by Boston followed four seasons of college lacrosse at Richmond.
From McQuaid Jesuit to the University of Richmond
Smith attended McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, where he graduated in 2022. Before entering college lacrosse, he had already gained considerable playing experience as a four-year starter and team captain.
Smith received recognition for both his sporting and academic performance at McQuaid Jesuit, securing a place on the All-Greater Rochester First Team and earning USA Lacrosse Academic All-American honours.
However, his route into Division I lacrosse was not straightforward.
In an interview published by News10NBC on 27 April 2026, Smith recalled being uncertain about which level of college competition he could reach. He received interest from programmes in major conferences, but that interest did not result in offers from those schools.
Richmond eventually became his college destination.
During the recruitment process, COVID-era restrictions prevented him from making a conventional official visit. He nevertheless travelled to see the university campus and observed a team practice.
Speaking about the experience, Smith recalled positive impressions of the campus environment and weather.
He subsequently joined the Richmond men’s lacrosse programme, beginning his collegiate playing career in 2023.
How Hunter Smith Developed as a Richmond Defender
In his first college season in 2023, Smith appeared in 16 games, started nine and recorded 17 ground balls alongside eight caused turnovers. He also earned Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team recognition.
His responsibilities increased in 2024, when he started all 16 games in which he appeared. That season, he collected 31 ground balls and caused 16 turnovers.
The following two seasons brought further defensive recognition. In 2025, he appeared in 18 games, recording 27 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. During his senior season in 2026, he played 14 games, collecting 29 ground balls and forcing 28 turnovers.
His University of Richmond career statistics were:
| Season | Games played | Ground balls | Caused turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 | 17 | 8 |
| 2024 | 16 | 31 | 16 |
| 2025 | 18 | 27 | 27 |
| 2026 | 14 | 29 | 28 |
| Career total | 64 | 104 | 79 |
Ground balls measure possession gained from loose balls, while caused turnovers record defensive actions that force opponents to lose possession. Both statistics provide useful context for evaluating a defender’s contribution.
Smith served as a Richmond team captain alongside fellow midfielder Joe Sheridan during the 2026 season.
His caused-turnover total rose from eight in 2023 to a career-high 28 in 2026. He recorded that final-season total in 14 games, compared with 27 caused turnovers across 18 games in 2025.
Consecutive Atlantic 10 Awards and National Recognition
Smith received significant individual recognition during his final two seasons at Richmond.
In 2025, he shared the Atlantic 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year award with Levi Verch of Saint Joseph’s University.
The following year, Smith received the Defensive Player of the Year award outright. He was also selected for the 2026 Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference.
His national honours developed alongside his conference achievements.
During the 2025 season, he received Second Team All-America recognition from Inside Lacrosse, Third Team honours from USILA and an Honourable Mention selection from USA Lacrosse Magazine.
In 2026, he earned further recognition:
- USA Lacrosse First Team All-American.
- USILA Second Team All-American.
- Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American.
These honours came from separate organisations, each with its own selection process.
On 18 April 2026, Smith and fellow Richmond player Aidan O’Neil were included in the 25-player men’s shortlist for the Tewaaraton Award, according to the university’s announcement.
Smith also contributed to Richmond’s success as a team.
On 2 May 2026, the Spiders won the Atlantic 10 men’s lacrosse championship, earning the conference’s NCAA tournament berth. Smith was selected for the tournament’s All-Championship Team.
His final collegiate season therefore included individual conference recognition, national selections and a championship with Richmond.
Hunter Smith’s 2026 Boston Cannons Draft Selection
Smith’s transition towards professional lacrosse began before his final college season had ended.
On 14 April 2026, the Boston Cannons selected him with the 10th overall pick in the Premier Lacrosse League College Draft.
He was chosen in the second round, as the second selection of that round.
According to the University of Richmond, Smith became the highest PLL draft pick in the school’s lacrosse programme history at the time.
The selection also gave him an opportunity to continue playing at a professional level after his college career.
In his News10NBC interview later that month, Smith discussed the adjustment from being a college athlete to preparing for professional competition.
He spoke about completing his university examinations while looking ahead to his new opportunity with Boston.
His remarks captured a specific moment in that transition: he was still managing the final responsibilities of college while preparing for the next stage of his playing career.
Before Boston drafted him, Smith had progressed from his 2023 Richmond debut to earning national defensive honours in both 2025 and 2026.
Hunter Smith’s Move into Professional Lacrosse with Boston
Following the draft, Smith appeared in the Premier Lacrosse League’s official player records as a member of the Boston Cannons.
The league also published coverage featuring his defensive play during the 2026 professional season.
Richmond identified Smith as a close defender throughout his college career. A September 2026 report noted that Boston had deployed Smith as a long-stick midfielder rather than in his usual college defensive role. The report did not establish that he had permanently changed positions.
His move to the Boston Cannons followed a college career defined by measurable defensive contributions, consecutive Atlantic 10 honours and national recognition.