DALLAS – Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith was named one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the organization’s selection committee announced on Thursday.
Smith is the only junior among the group of finalists, which includes Air Force senior quarterback Isaiah Sanders and Southern California senior wide receiver Michael Pittman.
Selected from a group of 20 semifinalists by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Board of Directors, the three finalists have all demonstrated an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship. All three will be invited to the award ceremony on Feb. 19, 2020, at The Star in Frisco, Texas, where the winner will be announced.
One of the most dominant linemen in football, Smith was a Freshman All-American and is a two-time All-SEC performer who has had to fight his way back on the field after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs before the start of his sophomore season. His return to the field and excellent play this season has been an inspiration to his team.
A member of the 2018 SEC Community Service Team and Wuerffel Trophy nominee, Smith spearheaded a coat drive for the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry and was selected as a member of the 2018 VOLeaders Class, a group of leaders chosen across all sports.
Smith has started 11 games this season at left guard and has played a key role in the Vols’ impressive mid-season turnaround that resulted in a five-game winning streak to end the regular season and victories in six of the last seven games. Smith anchored Tennessee’s offensive line that paved the way for record-setting performances in the final two games of the regular season.
In UT’s 24-20 win at Missouri that secured bowl eligibility, Smith and the rest of the O-line provided outstanding protection for quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who threw for a career-high 415 yards – the fourth highest passing output in program history.
In the regular-season finale against in-state foe Vanderbilt, Smith and the O-line paved the way for a season-high 297 yards rushing, including 246 from Eric Gray, who set a UT true freshman record for single-game rushing yards.
As one of the most experienced offensive linemen on the team, the Jackson, Tenn., native, has been a vocal leader for the Vols and mentor to younger linemen. He was also selected as first-team All-SEC performer by the Associated Press and the league’s coaches this season.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Tennessee alum Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport and the Cowboys’ all-time leading receiver, has served as one of football’s most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle.
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