2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Trey Smith

NAME: Trey Smith

POSITION: Guard

SCHOOL: Tennessee

HEIGHT: 6’6”

WEIGHT: 330 pounds

CAREER BACKGROUND

Trey Smith is a native of Humboldt, Tennessee. He attended University School of Jackson for high school football. He won numerous accolades, including three-time All-State offensive lineman. In 2016, Smith won the Bobby Dodd Award, was named USA Today/American Family Insurance All-USA first team, and MaxPreps Football All-American first-team offense. Additionally, he was named Tennessee Mr. Football, District Offensive Lineman of the Year and Tennessee Player of the Year twice each. He was regarded as a five-star recruit. Smith was recognized as the number one player out of the state of Tennessee and the number one player overall by ESPN in 2017. He wound up choosing Tennessee over other top offers like Alabama, Ohio State, and Ole Miss.

In his true freshman season in 2017, Smith started all 12 games. Originally playing guard, he had to shift out to left tackle for the team later that year. He collected second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman honors. His sophomore season saw him start the first seven games at left tackle. Smith’s season was finished after that, though. The team discovered blood clots, effectively ending his season. Smith could not have done better, once he returned in 2019. Moving back to guard, he did not allow a sack all season. He started 12 games and played in all 13. He was named first-team All-SEC. More amazingly, Smith captured the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and the inaugural Fritz Pollard Trophy. In 2020, he started all 10 games, while only allowing one sack. He earned second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.

His work off the field has been just as honorable. Smith has led charity drives, is an active speaker to youth groups and elementary schools, and led peaceful marches against racial injustice in the summer of 2020.

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SCOUTING REPORT

Positives

Power/Strength

When Smith latches on, it takes an elongated amount of time for defenders to disengage. He brings a lot of power in his hands. Meanwhile, the blocker wears down opponents by getting his shoulders and weight above theirs. There is also a fair amount of strength in Smith’s lower half. He uses a wide base to stand his ground against stronger pass rushers. Finally, Smith uses solid core strength to wall off or turn opposing defenders with ease.

Physicality

Not only is Smith strong and powerful, but he also has a sort of nastiness to his game. That attitude up front is something the Kansas City Chiefs have tried to bring in. Though with guys like Kelechi Osemele for example, injuries took that chance away. When Smith gets rolling, he can explode out of his stance. He is able to control the line of scrimmage. Thus, Smith can dictate which direction he wants to attack opponents. And he rarely disappoints in those chances.

Body Control

Sure, this player can be explosive. Coaches have to be excited about his patience, however. Smith does well to not take too wide or steep of angles. Rarely, if ever, does he put himself in a bad position to take on opposing pass rushers. Let’s also go back to how Smith uses a wide base to his advantage. With this, he is not only able to wall off defenders, but he can also recover quickly, if need be.

Flexibility

Smith has a dense, bulky frame. This can be just as much of a negative, as it is a positive. There are a fair share of moments, where Smith appears to play too stiff. His understanding and use of leverage can help at times. Yet, Smith can struggle with bending or contorting at his hips, when needing to reach opponents.

Athleticism

I would say he is not completely disappointing in this regard. He actually proved to do well when pulling in short areas close to the line of scrimmage. It was in the open field, where Smith got shaky. He just struggles so much with keeping his feet moving or striding continually. The foot speed is hit or miss. This especially shows up, when Smith is taking on quicker defenders.

Awareness

Smith can keep his head and eyes moving to oncoming opponents. However, it is extremely inconsistent. You see some reps, where Smith is focused specifically on one man or area of the football field. On plays that take longer to develop, defenders with second effort were able to get free chances on the quarterback or ball carrier. Working on keeping his eyes moving will go a long way in furthering his development.

Chiefs Fit

Trey Smith may not be the most athletic, but that little bit that he does have could pair well with Kansas City. More than anything, he moves people off of their base and creates massive holes. His prowess currently lies in the run game. Nonetheless, defenders have an extremely hard time getting around Smith or out-muscling him in pass block reps. Depending on how quickly he can better clean up his game, this blocker could be a long-term, reliable piece up front.