Originally Posted by :
Henry Louis "Trey" Smith III has gone through much adversity since high school but continues to battle. His mother, Dorsetta, passed away from congestive heart failure when he was at the University School at Jackson in Tennessee. While there, he excelled on the gridiron, winning the Mr. Football Award twice and garnering a first-team All-American and top-10 overall recruit rating nationally. The Volunteers kept him in-state, and he received second-team All-SEC, Freshman All-American, and SEC All-Freshman recognition as a 12-game starter (eight at right guard, four at left tackle). After the season, however, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. Smith fought through that malady to return for the 2018 campaign but had to stop after seven starts at left tackle as doctors believed the clots had returned. However, additional study of those test results showed that doctors might have actually seen scar tissue from the previous clots. Smith worked hard in the offseason, losing 40 pounds, and he garnered 2019 first-team All-SEC honors after moving inside to left guard, where he started 12 of 13 games played. He was a first-team all-conference selection again in 2020, starting all 11 games at left guard for the Volunteers. He received the Jason Witten Award for leadership on the field and community service off the field, as well as the Fritz Pollard Trophy for extraordinary courage and community values. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
When putting together a guard built for an NFL power-based scheme, the blueprint would probably look like Smith. He's big, wide, strong, long and will flash an aggressive streak when he gets geared up. The lack of body control and technique he put on tape suggests it may be difficult for him to overcome his limited athleticism. An offseason of fundamentals work should help Smith become more efficient into first contact, which will really unlock his power at the point of attack. He's been one of the more talked about guard prospects over the last few years but might be in for a bumpy beginning as he adjusts to the athletes and technicians he will face as a pro. Strengths
Elite size and length for the position.
Frame is broad and thick.
Very heavy-handed with plus upper-body strength.
Able to throw a sack of bricks at opponent when he punches.
Has physical potential to become dominant with better technique.
Drive power to turn base blocks out of the gap.
Can bang and cave his down-blocks.
Knock-back pop on both first and second levels.
Good job of finding targets on his short pulls.
Sets a very firm anchor against bull rushers.
Has faced off against a variety of current pro defenders during career.
Weaknesses
Lack of range shows up in run game and pass sets.
Long first step, causing him to overshoot his landmark and lose positioning.
Needs better footwork and hand clinch for improved sustain.
Will cheat secure block to save time getting up to linebacker on combos.
Plays with hitch and outside hands with pass punch.
Below-average body control and recovery potential.
Loses balance and positioning against rush counters.
Struggles to redirect weight after biting on fakes in pass pro.
Slide quickness to cut off the gaps is a concern.
Has dealt with blood clotting issues.
Sources Tell Us
"I guess you don't like big, aggressive guards, Lance? I know he has things to work on, but they can be coached up. The (history of blood clots) is a much bigger issue than anything on tape for me." -- Personnel executive for NFC team
I’m so happy for @TreySmith73 going to the @chiefs. Finally. Chiefs Kingdom got an awesome player and fantastic human!!
Trey Smith was outstanding in pass protecting during his time at UT. Doesnt overset down to the NT here. Stays patient, strikes first, and keeps a good base to win the rep. He plays every rep to the echo of the whistle. @ArrowheadLivepic.twitter.com/MGZA29yBLi
One more for tonight. I can't remember if I posted this back in January or not, but I again reiterate how much I enjoy watching Smith maul people. Great help for his C, and then cleans up the edge rusher. pic.twitter.com/XZeNzByZEY
This pretty much confirms our suspicions that the Chiefs philosophy has shifted from athletic, technical OL to a nastier, more power-based approach. [Reply]
I really like this kid. Very well spoken and apparently enjoys downright CREAMING his opponent! Would not surprise me in the least if he's a fixture at guard for many, many years. Don't know why, but I get a Will Shields kinda feeling about this young man.
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
This guy's not going to the practice squad.
Yep. No way that's happening.
If he's not quite ready for game action for whatever reason, Reid will keep him as the last guy off the bench like he did with LDT, McKenzie, Allegretti, and developmental linemen. He's demonstrated before he's not afraid to redshirt a guy if it means huge dividends down the road.
If we try to practice squad him, he's gonna get claimed. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefaholic:
I never played the position, but how hard would it be to convert from LG to RG? The guy looks downright dominant on video. If he can stay healthy, HOE-LEE-CHIT... Steal of the draft.
I played the position and these guys are all interchangeable. He has played OG and OT positions before. Smith is a stud and he has a filthy streak. [Reply]
Almost every mock draft I visited there preseason mocks had Smith as 1st round pick. Humphrey and Kaindoh were included in the 1st round on a few also [Reply]
Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare:
Almost every mock draft I visited there preseason mocks had Smith as 1st round pick. Humphrey and Kaindo were included in the 1st round on a few also
You know who was also in a lot of preseason round 1 mocks?