Trey Smith named preseason All-American by Sporting News

Add another All-American nod to Trey Smith’s trophy case. Sporting News named the stud Tennessee offensive guard to their preseason All-American team, making them the latest publication to recognize Smith’s incredible career to this point.

Smith has already been named to the Walter Camp Foundation’s All-American team, along with Athlon. The AP and the SEC Media chose Smith as an All-SEC first team performer following his brilliant comeback season in 2019.

The former five-star recruit looked like an NFL starter from his first game as a freshman against Georgia Tech. He instantly became Tennessee’s best player up front, steamrolling the Yellow Jackets and paving the way for John Kelly to help the Vols pull out a victory. However, medical issues have plagued Smith during his time in Knoxville.

He’s fought back from two stints of blood clots in his lungs, which have forced him to miss most of Tennessee’s offseason training sessions. He spent the first few weeks of the 2020 season simply shaking off the rust, but did so quickly. Smith returned to his guard spot after spending time at tackle and found his dominant game once again.

No one would have blamed Smith for bolting early to the NFL, but he chose to play his senior season and help the Volunteers continue building. Putting together a full season of tape and further distancing himself from those medical issues can only help his NFL stock.

Joining Smith on the All-American team up front was Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood, Oregon’s Penei Sewell, Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey and Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis.

Tennessee guard Cade Mays was named to the second team All-American squad. Mays transferred to Tennessee from Georgia this offseason, joining his brother who was a part of the 2020 class.