Butch Jones Reels in 5-Star 2017 OT Trey Smith for Tennessee
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Tennessee’s 2016 football season and 2017 recruiting class has been an entertaining affair full of ups and downs. The Volunteers reached another peak in the long rollercoaster ride when in-state five-star offensive tackle Trey Smith committed on Tuesday.
Smith played his way into being considered one of the top offensive line talents in the 2017 class with University School of Jackson. The Bruins posted a 9-4 record in 2016 against Class II-A Tennessee competition. The Bruins were a pass-heavy team with Jacob Buie passing for 3,752 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. Trevor Spencer led the Jackson team with 519 yards rushing along with 13 touchdowns on the ground.
The Bruins used Smith as a two-way star lining him up along the defensive front. Smith ended his senior year with 61 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss.
Smith was in the neighborhood of 30 offers when he committed to the Vols. Of all the offers, the 6-5.5, 310 pound, Under Armour All-American took official visits to Ole Miss, Alabama, Ohio State, and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide really wanted Smith with Billy Napier making a personal visit on Dec. 2 and head coach Nick Saban along with Brent Key meeting with their target three days later. Smith made his official to Knoxville over the weekend.
Tennessee fans found out about Smith’s commitment on Twitter after he announced in front of his school during a ceremony. Smith posted, “I’m ALL VOL!!”
Since Oct. 13, the Volunteers have had six decommitments with Jordan Tucker, CJ Lewis, Brandon Gaddy, Breyon Gaddy, Chase Rogers, and CJ Cotman exploring other options. Smith is a big win for head coach Butch Jones and his staff.
247Sports ranks the Vols class No. 11 in the nation, No. 5 in the SEC. Rivals sees Tennessee’s class at No. 7 in the nation with nine four-star recruits and 15 three-star talents. Rivals does not rate Smith as a five-star recruit.
Tennessee Volunteers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (24)
CB Terrell Bailey, 6-0, 175, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
CB Cheyenne Labruzza, 5-11, 186, Albany HS, Albany, LA
CB Shawn Shamburger, 5-11, 188, Colquitt County, Moultrie, GA
SS Maleik Gray, 6-2, 205, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
SS Jaquan Henderson, 6-1, 205, Newton HS, Covington, GA
SS Theo Jackson, 6-2, 176, Overton HS, Nashville, TN
LB De’Morreal “Mo” Burnam, 6-3, 218, Salem HS, Conyers, GA
LB Will Ignont, 6-2, 230, Buckhorn HS, New Market, AL
LB Solon Page III, 6-1.5, 192, Kell HS, Marietta, GA
DE LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3.5, 232, Hardin County, Savannah, TN
DE Tre Lawson, 6-6, 247, North Augusta HS, North Augusta, SC
DT Kivon Bennett, 6-3, 265, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
DT Eric Crosby, 6-1, 285, Ocean Lakes HS, Virginia Beach, VA
OT K’Rojhn Calbert, 6-5, 290, Warren County HS, McMinnville, TN
OT Trey Smith, 6-5.5, 310, Univ. School of Jackson, Jackson, TN
OG Riley Locklear, 6-5, 290, Spring Valley HS, Huntington, WV
TE James Brown, 6-4, 218, Jones HS, Orlando, FL
RB Ty Chandler, 5-11.5, 195, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN
WR/OLB Marquez Bembry, 6-3, 214, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
WR Princeton Fant, 6-2, 208, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
WR Jacquez Jones, 5-11, 165, Clearwater HS, Clearwater, FL
WR Jordan Murphy, 6-1, 168, Hattiesburg HS, Hattiesburg, MS
ATH Trey Coleman, 5-11, 203, West Monroe HS, West Monroe, LA
K Brent Cimaglia, 6-0, 215, Fred J Page HS, Franklin, TN
Photo credit: USA Today; No. 73 Trey Smith