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Tennessee football: Trey Smith named first round prospect by another outlet

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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Another outlet is high on the senior Tennessee football Volunteers offensive lineman.

Preseason love continues to pour in for Tennessee football star Trey Smith, as an elite player for 2020 and an elite prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft. The senior offensive lineman was high up on another draft board Tuesday morning.

Sporting News listed Smith as the No. 26 ranked NFL Draft prospect for 2021. He was behind six other offensive linemen: Penei Sewell of the Oregon Ducks, Alex Leatherwood of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Sam Cosmi of the Texas Longhorns, Wyatt Davis of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Creed Humphrey of the Oklahoma Sooners and Walker Little of the Texas Longhorns.

The outlet’s 2021 Mock NFL Draft had Smith going after all of them but going 23rd overall to the Buffalo Bills. Here’s what it had to say about the Tennessee football lineman as a prospect and why it had him projected to the Bills.

"Smith is a strong and powerful run blocker who also has great character on and off the field. He’s overcome some physical challenges well and consistently fights up front.…With Spencer Long gone and retired and both Jon Feliciano and Brian Winters unsigned beyond 2020, the Bills need a right guard solution after bringing back Quinton Spain on the left side. Smith is a strong and powerful run blocker who fits their blocking scheme well."

Obviously, the only concern about Smith is his health given that his 2018 season was cut short and he missed the offseason before both 2018 and 2019 due to blood clots in his lungs. However, since working out a plan to play, he hasn’t missed a down.

Smith has earned First Team All-SEC both full seasons he played, starting at guard both times, including once as a freshman, when he earned Freshman All-American honors. He was on track to earn it again in 2018, playing left tackle, before his year was cut short.

Versatility is obviously a big selling point for the 2017 graduate of University School of Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. given what he’s done in three years. In addition to proving he can play tackle and guard, Smith earned All-SEC honors in the spread offense and the pro-style offense.

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A recent increase in size also helps. The updated Tennessee football roster shows Smith has gone from 325 pounds to 330 pounds. Standing at 6’6″, that’s the perfect frame for an NFL blocker. If he has a standout senior season, he could even rise in these mock drafts, as he continues to be a first round projection in so many of them.

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