KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – One of the most decorated offensive lineman in Tennessee history now embarks on a professional career. Two-time first-team All-Southeastern Conference honoree and 2020 All-American Trey Smith was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday evening.
Smith, who was taken No. 226 overall, joins teammate wide receiver Josh Palmer as part of the Volunteers 2021 draft class. Palmer was picked at No. 77 overall in the third round by the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night.
Smith is the 11th Tennessee player all-time to be selected by Kansas City and the first since Kahlil McKenzie went in the 2018 sixth round.
The Jackson, Tennessee, native has proved to be one of the most dominant linemen in the country during his career. A starter in 41 games, he saw action on over 2,500 career offensive snaps and allowed only one sack in his final two seasons. He played 664 snaps in the fall of 2020, earning second-team All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Off the field, few in the nation have been as impressive as Smith. He was the recipient of the Tennessee Torchbearer Award, the highest student honor at UT, and he was a two-time SEC Community Service Team member. Smith won the 2019 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and the 2020 Fritz Pollard Trophy.
-UT Athletics
