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Tennessee football: Sporting News ranks Trey Smith a top 40 player

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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The rising senior Tennessee football Volunteers offensive lineman is ranked No. 32 nationally.

He’s been on preseason All-SEC and All-American lists, 2021 Mock NFL Draft lists and numerous preseason watch lists for on and off-field awards. But where does Tennessee football offensive lineman Trey Smith rank among the top FBS players nationally?

Well, some outlets are pretty high on him. Bill Bender of Sporting News named the rising senior a top 40 player across the country, placing him at No. 32 nationally. Smith came in at No. 8 among 11 SEC players to make the list and was fifth among five offensive linemen.

Alex Leatherwood of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Wyatt Davis of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Creed Humphrey of the Oklahoma Sooners and Penei Sewell of the Oregon Ducks were the four lineman ahead of Smith. Here is what was written about the only Tennessee football player on the list.

"Smith overcame blood clotting issues that threatened his career and returned as a force on the Vols’ offensive line last season. He’s versatile, with the ability to play either tackle or guard. He will anchor what should be one of the better offensive lines in the country this season."

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Given all the hype behind the 6’6″ 335-pound leader on Rocky Top, it makes sense for Smith to be on this list. After all, in the only two full seasons he has played, he has earned First-Team All-SEC, including earning Freshman All-American honors in 2017.

A testament to Smith’s versatility, which as you can see, Bender mentioned. He actually listed Smith as a tackle, and in 2018, before blood clots shortened his season, Smith was on track to earn All-SEC honors again playing left tackle on Jeremy Pruitt’s first team.

However, the two years he has earned postseason honors, he played guard. In fact, he played it in two separate offenses, starring in the spread in 2017 and then in Jim Chaney’s pro-style offense this past year. Simply put, Smith could play any position in any system, a big reason he is such a highly touted NFL Draft prospect for next year.

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With a much-more developed offensive line, Tennessee football has lots of reasons to be excited about its play up front this year. Smith, having lots more help, also has a greater chance to shine. That could be as much a reason behind the expectations for him as anything, and he has definitely earned recognition as a top 40 player for the 2020 season.

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