BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee sophomore offensive lineman Trey Smith earned yet another preseason accolade on Thursday as he was named to the Coaches Preseason All-SEC First Team.
Smith also captured All-SEC First Team honors from the media at SEC Media Days last month and was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy.
The Jackson, Tenn., native was the nation’s top freshman offensive lineman in 2017, starting every game for the Vols and capturing FWAA Freshman All-American Team accolades in addition to All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman honors by the coaches and media.
The versatile Smith earned playing time at right guard, left guard, left tackle and right tackle last fall. He became the first Vol true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years when he protected the blind side against Southern Miss on Nov. 4. Smith led the Vols with 55 knockdowns and finished as the SEC’s top-rated freshman offensive player according to Pro Football Focus College.
Smith missed the spring with a medical condition, but has been at every practice during fall camp and was cleared for full contact earlier this week.
The complete preseason All-SEC teams can be found HERE.
The Vols open the season at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 at the Belk College Kickoff against West Virginia in Charlotte, N.C., before hosting ETSU on Sept. 8 and UTEP on Sept. 15. Tennessee welcomes Florida on Sept. 22 (kickoff is TBD) to start SEC play.
Tennessee football single game tickets are on sale now for home games at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-VOLS.
Quotes from Thursday’s Player Media Availability
Senior Defensive Lineman Kyle Phillips
On playing the first game of the season:
“I am very eager, especially coming out of fall camp and playing against our teammates each and every day. We are trying to get better. It is rewarding to go out on Saturdays and showing everybody what we have been working for.”
On how the defense is compared to last year:
“We just believe that we have a different mentality going into this season. We want to be a tough, physical team and be disciplined. I think those are some things that we struggled with sometimes last year and that has been a main focus this year.”
On how game week practice differs from camp practice:
“I don’t really think it is that much different. We will be focusing on other teams now, but I think our approach to practice will be the same. We are going to be working hard each and every day to get better because it is a long season. Teams are continuing to get better, so we have to continue to get better also.”
Redshirt Junior Linebacker Quart’e Sapp
On how he thinks the players have adjusted to the new defense:
“I think we have adjusted really well. Obviously, there is a new defensive front with a different scheme and different technique, but I think overall we have adjusted really well to it.”
On how he feels about the depth at inside linebacker:
“I feel really good. We are actually getting really healthy at the linebacker, and really happy everybody is participating and creating that depth that we have going into the season.”
On how the new scheme fits the talent on the roster:
“It fits really well. We had to adjust to it a little bit, but I feel like our talent, and the players we have, it fits really well.”
On the biggest difference on having a head coach that is a defensive guy:
“It is a little different. The practices are obviously, I would say accustom to the defense, but it’s really more focus on the defense.”
Junior Linebacker Daniel Bituli
On if things feel different as he is shifting from fall camp to classes starting:
“Things are different. Obviously, school has started. Because of fall camp, our team feels comfortable where we are in learning the game plan and just trying to prepare for West Virginia. Things do feel different. I think it is more of the excitement part of it that the first game is at the end of next week.”
On what he is looking forward to most about the upcoming season:
“I could talk about the records and everything, but I am just focused on having a fun time with my teammates. I have been here the past two years with them and I enjoy the comradery part. I think that is what I enjoy the most about the season.”
On how he characterized the staff’s approach to special teams:
“This staff is very serious about everything. When it goes from offense to defense to special teams, they take it serious and they do not overlook any aspect. Special teams is something they really like to focus on and they like to express their importance of it. Special teams is very important with this staff.”
Junior Safety Nigel Warrior
On Coach Pruitt’s defense and adjusting to it:
“Adjusting to this defense is not hard. Coach Pruitt keeps it very simple for us to learn. It will help you on the next level for sure. I feel like I’m going to be more intelligent with my game play and I can play with my instincts.”
On if Coach Pruitt’s arrival has sparked improvement:
“I have seen a gradual change. I’ve been climbing every day. Even if I have a bad day, I get to work on something new.”
On if being a junior changes his role or mindset:
“A little bit. Once you are older everyone looks to you or comes to you for an answer. Sometimes you have to look to the younger guys for answers. I ask questions to freshmen also. They may know something I don’t know. I don’t feel like it’s a big role, but I feel like it’s everyone’s role on the team.”
On where his sense of confidence came from:
“It comes from the coaches, but it really starts with us. We want to go out there and practice. Some days it gets hard, but we still have to go out there and get it. Being tough and being physical comes from being in the playbook and trusting each other and coaches.”
Junior Wide Receiver Brandon Johnson
On how Coach Pruitt’s message and intensity have carried over to the team:
“I’d say that it has carried over to us. There is a lot more accountability because of Coach Pruitt’s directness and voicing exactly what he wants, when he wants it and how he wants it done.”
On his thoughts on the wide receiver group:
“I think we have been looking good. I’m excited about the depth that we have. I feel like all of us can go out there and play the position at a high level. I’m really excited about what we have going on out here.”
On David Johnson as your position coach:
“We all love coach YAC (yards after catch). We call him coach YAC. He’s developed a relationship with coach that we feel we have known him for a long time. We’re really close in the receiver room.”
On some of the things he emphasizes to improve the receiver core:
“One thing that he emphasizes a lot, like the rest of the staff, is protecting the ball. He is always yelling ‘high and tight, high and tight’. That is one of his main things.”
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