ATLANTA – Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith captured Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America on Mondayfollowing a standout first collegiate season.
Smith adds the FWAA award – the most prestigious Freshman All-America honor – to a growing list of accolades that also includes 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team, AP All-SEC Second Team, Coaches All-SEC Second Team, SEC All-Freshman Team and Phil Steele All-SEC Second Team honors.
The Jackson, Tenn., native was the only Tennessee offensive lineman to start all 12 games for the Vols in 2017. He had eight starts at right guard, three at left tackle and one at left guard, and also logged playing time at right tackle.
The 6-6 320-pounder became the first Vol true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years.
A physical blocker who excelled against the run and in pass protection, Smith tallied a team-high 55 pancakes and finished as the SEC’s top-rated freshman offensive player (80.6) according to Pro Football Focus College.
Smith was the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2017 recruiting class by ESPN. His blocking helped pave the way for career-best seasons by running backs John Kelly (778 rushing yards), Ty Chandler (305 yards) and Carlin Fils-aime (215 yards), while he helped protect three different starting quarterbacks.
Smith is the eighth Vol to nab FWAA Freshman All-America honors, which began selecting a team in 2001, and the first to claim the award since Derek Barnett in 2014.
The complete 2017 FWAA Freshman All-America Team can be found HERE.
Tennessee FWAA Freshman All-Americans (All-Time, 2001 – present)
2017 Trey Smith, G
2014 Derek Barnett, DE
2011 A.J. Johnson, LB
2010 James Stone, C
2009 Aaron Douglas, OL
2004 Roshaun Fellows, CB
2003 James Wilhoit, PK
2001 Kelley Washington, WR
-UT Athletics
