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Tennessee Football: Five Vols to watch for at Georgia

By Dean Zulkofske

Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp
Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp /
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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) /

Scouting Report. Offensive Lineman. Trey Smith. 839. Pick Analysis. Senior. 3. player

6’6″ 330 pounds; Hometown: Jackson, Tenn.

When teams play in big games, coaches look for the team’s best players to show up and lead by example. For Trey Smith, who was named preseason All-SEC First Team and preseason All-American, this is the week to prove all of the accolades.

Smith will enter the NFL draft this spring, projected to be taken somewhere in the first round. When NFL coaches, scouts, and personnel lookup game film on Smith, it’ll be games against top tier defenses like the Georgia Bulldogs that they look for.

Tennessee football’s most standout senior has been one of the main reasons the Vols have had success in the running game the first two weeks. However, Guarantano is often pressured to throw the ball, and he’s been sacked four times through two weeks.

The Vols can’t afford any turnovers this week, and while Smith and the offensive line group can’t prevent interceptions, they can prevent costly strip-sacks on their quarterback. Georgia has five sacks so far this season, all of which have come from their elite linebacker group.

Because of all that, Smith will have to pick up blitzes and get downfield swiftly on runs or designed screen passes, something he’s done well his entire career on Rocky Top. Take a look at him and Brandon Kennedy paving the way for one of Eric Gray’s touchdowns against the Missouri Tigers.

Over the last four years, Trey Smith has been UT’s best offensive lineman, and he’ll need to be again come Saturday afternoon. When Smith announced he’d be returning to Knoxville for his senior year, part of that was for moments and opportunities like what the Vols have this week. Expect him to go out and make a statement against the Bulldogs.

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