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Tennessee football: Trey Smith says playing ‘worth the risk’ for him

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee football Volunteers offensive lineman wants to play despite COVID-19.

If anybody has a reason to sit out the season, Tennessee football offensive lineman Trey Smith has that reason. As a guy who has battled blood clots in his lungs, Smith is certainly a high-risk person when it comes to coronavirus. He also has the possibility of being first-round 2020 NFL Draft pick.

As a result, it was surprising to see Smith advocate heavily for playing this year. Chris Low of ESPN reported on Monday that the two-time First Team All-SEC guard and rising senior wants to play the 2020 season.

At 6’6″ 335-pound, the Jackson, Tenn. native is Tennessee football’s most recognizable star and said playing the season is worth the risk for him to get to his “dream goals and aspirations,” adding that he would be ticked off if snubbed the opportunity. Here’s a bit of what else he said.

"“I want to play. I want to play safely, and that’s the consensus across the sport and all the guys I talk to. We all want to play the game of football that we love. We’re all out here working our butts off in this hot sun and trying to get better at our craft and perfect our craft.”"

After his Freshman All-American season in 2017, it was revealed that Smith had blood clots in his lungs. That kept him out of full offseason activities as Jeremy Pruitt was taking over the program. They appeared to be gone when the season started.

However, midway through 2018, as Smith had moved over to left tackle and was the only reliable blocker on UT that year, his blood clots returned, cutting short that year and keeping him out of full offseason workouts again from 2018 to 2019.

Smith and medical experts put together a plan for him to play at the start of 2019. He once again played a full season, back at guard, and once again earned All-SEC honors. Then he surprised the world by deciding to return for his senior year on Rocky Top when he could have been a high draft pick in the NFL.

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Simply put, it’s clear that Smith wants to play for Tennessee football this year. He has made numerous sacrifices to be able to give his all for the Vols, and joining in with players speaking up vocally gives the movement lots of credibility.

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