Vol fans already know that Trey Smith was a standout true freshman during the 2017 season. But now there’s tangible proof in the form of a grade for Vol fans to point to as well.
The college division of Pro Football Focus recently graded all the true freshmen across college football, and Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith earned one of the top 10 best grades in all of college football.
The highest-graded freshmen from the 2017 college football season. pic.twitter.com/xmuc6UrRqM
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) December 14, 2017
Smith is one of two SEC players on the list, joining LSU cornerback Andraez Williams inside the top 10. Smith is one of three offensive linemen on the list as well. Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton also made the top 10.
Though Smith graded out as one of the best freshmen in the league this season, that apparently wasn’t good enough for him to land a spot on ESPN’s Freshman All-American team. But he’s earned plenty of other honors to make up for that one.
Smith was named a second-team All-SEC lineman by the AP, Coaches, and Phil Steele and was named to the USA Today Sports Freshman All-American team.
Smith was the only offensive lineman to start all 12 games for the Vols this season. He started primarily at guard but made starts at tackle down the stretch as the Vols dealt with a multitude of injuries and attrition along the offensive line.
