Redshirt could be an option for Tennessee Volunteers lineman Trey Smith

John Adams
Knoxville

In the best of all football worlds, Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith would be preparing for his final college season. Then he would be off to the NFL, where he probably would be a first-round draft pick in 2020.

Instead, his football career is on hold – imperiled by a serious medical condition that cut short his sophomore season in 2018.

Tennessee announced in October that Smith was out indefinitely after he suffered a recurrence of blood clots in his lungs. He missed the previous spring practice with the same condition.

An obvious conclusion: Smith will never play football again.

Why risk it? The sport is dangerous enough for someone in the best of health.

Of course, this is a decision for medical experts, not a football player – or sports columnist. If a doctor would say “don’t play,” there should be no debate. You would put football behind you and move on with your life.

But the decision might not be that clear cut. After all, Smith was cleared to play in 2018 after the first occurrence of blood clots, which required him to take blood thinners for six months.

“Play or don’t play” isn’t Smith’s only choice, though. He started as a freshman and was still starting through more than half of his sophomore season. He could redshirt and have two years of eligibility remaining – if he needed them.

That would give doctors more time to evaluate his medical condition – and postpone his decision on his football career.

But even if Smith decides to give up football, he should have the option of being involved with the program. That wouldn’t be a token gesture.

Tennessee signed five offensive linemen in its 2019 recruiting class. Its two highest-ranked signees are five-star offensive tackles Darnell Wright and Wanya Morris. Surely Smith could help them prepare for the transition from high school to college.

He was right where they are a couple of years ago. Smith was so acclaimed as a high school offensive lineman he was expected to compete for a starting job as a freshman. He won the competition with relative ease.

You don’t start as a freshman offensive lineman in the SEC on brute force alone, although Smith wasn’t lacking in that department. So many FBS offensive line prospects can prevail on sheer size in high school because they often don’t have to extend themselves or rely on technique to overwhelm whoever is in front of them.

However, Smith arrived at UT with an understanding of the game and a competitiveness that not all freshmen have – regardless of their position. Who would be better suited to mentor Tennessee’s offensive line recruits on what it takes to succeed in the SEC?

Based on what Smith accomplished as a freshman, he had the potential to become one of Tennessee’s greatest players. He was that good.

But even if he can’t play another down for the Vols, he still could stay in the sport and help the program.

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John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at twitter.com/johnadamskns.

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