On Friday, one of the most inspiring players in Tennessee football history received recognition from the university that goes far beyond his abilities on the field. Offensive lineman Trey Smith was recognized as a Torchbearer.
Smith is the first football player to earn the recognition since Joshua Dobbs in 2017. UT Chancellor Donde Plowman, Athletic Director Danny White and new head coach Josh Heupel were all part of a zoom call that recognized him.
According to UTSports, the Torchbearer is the university’s highest honor for any student and is described as seniors “who embody the Volunteer spirit while demonstrating academic excellence and a commitment to serving others.” Tennessee football released the video of Smith being honored on its Twitter account.
The crowning achievement on an already highly-decorated career.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 19, 2021
Chancellor Donde Plowman announced Friday that #VFL @TreySmith73 is a Torchbearer—the highest student honor conferred by the University of Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/E5MvJRtDXK
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Obviously, Smith is one of the greatest stories in UT history. He was a first team All-SEC guard his first year with the program, back in 2017. Then he battled blood clots in his lungs for two straight offseasons, which also shut down the end of his sophomore season, when he was already having to transition to left tackle and a pro-style offense.
Amidst all of that, Smith returned in 2019, moved back to guard, and had another All-SEC season. Despite being a projected first-round pick in the NFL Draft, he still decided to return for his senior season on Rocky Top to fulfill a promise he made to his late mother, who passed away from heart complications when he was 15, that he would graduate college.
Well, Smith has fulfilled that promise, and despite all the issues that plagued the Vols during the Jeremy Pruitt years and the end of Butch Jones’ tenure, Smith was always one bright spot. He deserves to go down as a UT legend given everything he contributed to the program.
At 6’6″ 330 pounds, the Jackson, Tenn. native has a chance to be an NFL star. However, his story in general is larger than his exploits on the field for Tennessee football, and and being honored as a Torchbearer is well deserved.