University of Tennessee Athletics
Listen: "The Slice" Podcast Featuring All-SEC Guard Trey Smith
April 27, 2020 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior offensive guard and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award winner Trey Smith is this week's guest on "The Slice," Tennessee football's official podcast.
"The Slice" is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (search The Slice). VFL Films' Kasey Funderburg conducts the in-depth interview, while VFL's Isaac Fowler produces the episode.
A future projected NFL Draft first round choice, Smith opened up about his decision to return to Knoxville for his senior year and how much Tennessee has shaped him.
"I just felt personally, it wasn't time to come out," he said. "It was a no-brainer for me. One thing a lot of people kept asking me 'are you going to be happy staying at Tennessee and doing the things a college kid would do that you wouldn't have to do in the NFL?.' My answer was simple – that's all I know. Why would I not be OK with that? I love Knoxville. Man, I love the city. I love the bike trails. It's a beautiful city. I love riding next to the river. I love the fans. I love playing in Neyland Stadium, and I always dreamt of playing SEC ball, so why not do it another year?"
Smith, a first-team All-SEC selection, has started 31 career games and came to Tennessee as the No. 1 rated player in the nation for the Class of 2017. He discussed his journey from Jackson, Tennessee, what inspires him to help others, how his parents raised him and enjoying a new hobby he has taken up. Â
For more information on Tennessee football, follow the program on Twitter, like the Vols on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "vol_football.
"The Slice" is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (search The Slice). VFL Films' Kasey Funderburg conducts the in-depth interview, while VFL's Isaac Fowler produces the episode.
A future projected NFL Draft first round choice, Smith opened up about his decision to return to Knoxville for his senior year and how much Tennessee has shaped him.
"I just felt personally, it wasn't time to come out," he said. "It was a no-brainer for me. One thing a lot of people kept asking me 'are you going to be happy staying at Tennessee and doing the things a college kid would do that you wouldn't have to do in the NFL?.' My answer was simple – that's all I know. Why would I not be OK with that? I love Knoxville. Man, I love the city. I love the bike trails. It's a beautiful city. I love riding next to the river. I love the fans. I love playing in Neyland Stadium, and I always dreamt of playing SEC ball, so why not do it another year?"
Smith, a first-team All-SEC selection, has started 31 career games and came to Tennessee as the No. 1 rated player in the nation for the Class of 2017. He discussed his journey from Jackson, Tennessee, what inspires him to help others, how his parents raised him and enjoying a new hobby he has taken up. Â
For more information on Tennessee football, follow the program on Twitter, like the Vols on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "vol_football.
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