Tennessee OL Trey Smith appears in Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 College Football Players

Sports Illustrated is ranking the top 100 players in college football as we inch closer to football season. Coming off of a 4-8 season, the Tennessee Volunteers didn’t have many representatives on the list. However, they did have one.

Former No. 1 overall recruit Trey Smith landed at 59th overall on the list, despite having just one season of experience. The rising sophomore is pretty easily the best overall talent on Tennessee’s roster, in my opinion.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated had to say about Smith.

Smith earned second-team All-SEC honors but did not participate in spring practice due to an undisclosed medical issue. If he’s back to 100% by the fall, he’s got a strong case to be the best player on new head coach Jeremy Pruitt’s first team.

Smith spent most of the year playing inside at guard, but did see time later in the year at tackle. He was rated as a tackle coming out of high school, but it remains to be seen what position he will play for Jeremy Pruitt and offensive line coach Will Friend.

The Vols have some talented players on the offensive line, but a clear combination has yet to emerge due to injuries. Smith is expected to return for fall camp.

It’s tough to argue that anymore Vols belong on this list. If Butch Jones and Larry Scott would have actually used Marquez Callaway last season, he may have an argument. Nigel Warrior has a shot to appear on this list next year.

The talent well in Knoxville is pretty dry by Tennessee standards — this list should prove that. Jeremy Pruitt is off to a great start as a recruiter, however. That well shouldn’t be dry for too much longer if he can keep it up.