Trey Smith Announces He Will Return to the Vols

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football junior offensive lineman Trey Smith announced on Thursday that he will return to the Volunteers for his senior season during a press conference at the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.

In an homage to Peyton Manning, who famously returned to Tennessee for his senior season in 1997, Smith said: "I've made up my mind and don't expect to ever look back. I'm going to stay at the University of Tennessee."

During his speech at the podium, Smith stated that he promised his late mother, Dorsetta Smith, he would play in the NFL and also earn his degree and it has been his mission to accomplish those goals.

"In the end, I didn't get my degree yet," said Smith, who is scheduled to complete his bachelor's degree in sports management this May. "It is just one of the things she emphasized while growing up. I have to get an education. It is something nobody can ever take away from me. That is something that has always stuck with me. It is one of my goals in life – to get an education, get my degree and play in the NFL."

Smith's father, Henry, his older sister, Ashley, and other relatives and friends were also in attendance at the press conference that also featured statements from Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee Athletics head physician Dr. Chris Klenck, who gave an update on Smith's health.

"Trey is a guy that is a really good student of the game," Pruitt said. "He is going to continue to grow and develop. We are excited that he is coming back. He is a huge piece of our football team. He is a great leader and a great player. Once he decided to do this, you heard him, there is no looking back. He is ready to get started and we are too."

Smith has etched out one of the more memorable careers in recent Tennessee football history for his impact both on and off the field.

The Jackson, Tenn., native started 11 games at left guard in 2019 en route to All-SEC First Team honors from the coaches and media. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this fall. After missing the final five games of the 2018 season and a comeback to football questionable, Smith returned to his dominant ways and spearheaded Tennessee's six-game win streak to end the season. SEC Network analyst and offensive line expert Cole Cubelic named Smith to his All-America First Team.

"We're building something special here at Tennessee," Smith said. "I believe in this coaching staff. I believe in the players we have coming. We're building something special. We have unfinished business this next season."

Smith is one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award given to the nation's top all-around student-athlete, which will be awarded to the winner on Feb. 18. Smith is an active speaker to youth groups, elementary schools and organizations across the state and led coat drives for Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry (KARM) during the 2018 and 2019 seasons where over 1,000 coats were donated each year because of his efforts.

Smith came to his home-state school in 2017 as the nation's No. 1 recruit according to ESPN and quickly lived up to the hype, becoming the first Vol true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years en route to consensus Freshman All-America honors and All-SEC Second Team accolades.

Smith was diagnosed with blood clots in February of 2018, but returned to play for the Vols in 2018. Another setback occurred in October of 2018 and Smith missed the final five games of the season. He again fought back to return to football. A plan was developed by the Tennessee medical staff, in collaboration with specialists, which minimizes Smith's risk for recurrent blood clots, while allowing him to play football.

The plan was implemented for the 2019 season, allowing Smith to perform at an All-SEC level on the football field.

"We implemented that plan this past season and Trey did an outstanding job and was able to excel," Dr. Klenck said. "Now that we have a season's worth of experience, we plan to fine tune his treatment plan and continue it into the spring and 2020 season."

Smith is now ready to get back to business for a Tennessee football team that will return several playmakers, and all of the offensive line starters, from a 7-5 squad that capped the season as one of the nation's hottest teams, winning six consecutive games, including a tremendous 13-point comeback in the final five minutes of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

"I wanted to come back here and be great," Smith said. "I want to leave a legacy at Tennessee. I love this university and I love the people."

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Trey Smith

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