Tennessee football: 5 big storylines for Vols heading into 2019 fall camp

2. Will Trey Smith get the green light?

Trey Smith missed all of practice in the 2018 offseason due to blood clots. He then got back on the field and, after being a freshman All-American at guard in 2017, became Tennessee football’s best and only great blocker at left tackle in 2018.

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Then, just before November hit, his blood clots return. He was shut down for the season, and he’s been out since. However, he has been able to take part in the drills, and Jeremy Pruitt hinted at the fact that they are doing everything they can to get him on the field.

So with fall camp underway, the status of Smith remains a big deal. We’ve already mentioned how historically bad the Vols were on the offensive line this year and the amount of unproven talent they have this year to try to fix it.

Well, if Smith could get the go-ahead, that unproven talent won’t be as heavily needed. Jeremy Pruitt can plug him back in at left tackle and let him go to work. It will also help solve the depth issue, which is obviously big on the offensive line.

It’s good for the Vols that Smith can continue practicing with the program and learning the offense under Jim Chaney. But they need him back whenever they can get him. Having him helps them take a huge leap in terms of improving up front.

Simply put, if Smith can come back, then the Vols are in position to have a decent line this year, even if it won’t be great. But if he’s not able to go, then, well, a lot of what happens on the line is left to chance.