Trey Smith Decides NFL Can Wait, Returning to Tennessee

There have been several players that have made impacts for Tennessee on the field over the last three seasons, players like Jauan Jennings, Darrel Taylor, Marquez Callaway, and Daniel Bituli. The group of departing Volunteer seniors have had their moments to impact games and change the trajectory of entire seasons for Tennessee. However, for three seasons, the clear answer to who is the best player on the Tennessee roster has been clear: Big number seventy-three, Trey Smith. The current junior arrived in Knoxville in the last class recruited by Butch Jones. According to ESPN, Smith was the top-rated player in the nation when he came out of Jackson University School in Jackson, Tennessee. From his first snap as a true freshman, Trey Smith has lived up to the hype and then some, dominating opponents from the start. Smith made opponents into highlight films regularly, despite playing on lines as a freshman and sophomore that struggled mightily around him. Smith was a leader by example from early on in Knoxville, but he was one of the anchors that Tennessee was able to hold to in the early struggles of the 2019 season. As the Tennessee offensive line settled in, developing into one of the best units on the team, it was Smith that lead them. After three years of dominance and excellent leadership, on Thursday, Trey Smith had a decision about his NFL future to make.

At a press conference on the University of Tennessee campus, Smith announced that he will be returning to Knoxville for his senior season. With the return of Smith, the Vols bring back a player that will contend to be an All American in the interior of the offensive line. Smith has spent three seasons blowing opposing defensive lineman away, and his presence up front for Tennessee is game changing. Judging exclusively on film, an evaluator would be hard pressed to find a more impressive offensive linemen than the Tennessee star. On talent alone, Smith is likely a Top Ten overall talent in the NFL Draft. The only question surrounding his stock at the next level revolves around blood clots in his lungs that cost him the summer between his freshman and sophomore season and the second half of his sophomore season. Despite what is a life-threatening condition, Smith and his physicians developed a plan to control the blood clots and allow him to return to the field. As a junior, Smith returned to the starting lineup for the Vols, starting all thirteen games, and looking like his usual, dominating self. More than a talented player, Smith became a leader in the locker room for the Vols as a junior, a player that led by example and with words. Few players have ever embodied, “Giving their All for Tennessee,” like Trey Smith. The young man literally risked his life and his well-being in order to continue to play football for the Orange and White. As a young player, there is no excuse for cutting corners or complaining in games or practice, when Smith is leaving it all on the line, every rep, with all that he is risking.

NFL teams have been watching Smith with great interest ever since he burst onto the scene as a freshman. Each year as his film accumulated, he showed more and more that he was worthy of their attention on the field. Off the field, Smith is not only a leader, but he is incredibly active in the community. Smith is dedicated to doing charity work to help those less fortunate than himself and to improve the Knoxville area as a whole. The simple fact is that with everything he has control over, Trey Smith has done everything any coach, collegiate or NFL, could hope for. This is a young man upon whose shoulders you can build a program or a franchise. The only question regarding Smith is his medical condition, but it appears that has been brought under control as well. Smith is the kind of player that can change the trajectory of a program, which is exactly what he has been a major factor in achieving already in Knoxville.

When everything is said and done, Trey Smith will go down as one of the best to ever don Tennessee Orange. Vol fans appreciate the risks that Smith took continuing to play. He took those knowing full well that it could cost him millions of dollars or even his life. Knowing it all, Smith continued to play because he loved the game of football, the University of Tennessee, and their fans. With Smith's decision to return, Vol fans are going to have the privilege of watching greatness for another season. By the time Senior Day 2020 arrives, Trey Smith should be regarded as one of the best to ever play in Knoxville. Few have ever risked more, and Smith has done it all without complaint and as an example of pure class. Tennessee will be fielding one of the best offensive lines in the nation in 2020, and that group will be led, as will the whole team, by a massive man fond of wearing a black cowboy hat. Smith's attitude spread through the line and the team as the season progressed, and now Vol fans will be able to watch it continue to grow in 2020.

Courtesy of A to Z Sports Nashville. Link to original image: https://atozsportsnashville.com/tennessee-vols-handling-of-trey-smith-is-why-fans-should-trust-jeremy-pruitt/

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