KNOXVILLE – As he strode to the podium Tuesday night, Tennessee’s Trey Smith looked like he could’ve been taking a Vol Walk to Neyland Stadium on a football Saturday.
The Vols junior offensive lineman was wearing a nice blue suit and one of his trademark Cowboy hats as he received the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award. When he stepped to the microphone, his thoughts distinguished him even more than his attire.
Smith delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, beginning with his sophomore season and his playing career possibly being ended by blood clots.
He recalled how devastating the news was to him. He then recounted visiting with UT coach Jeremy Pruitt later that year after the team’s postseason banquet.
“I remember sitting on his couch, crying,” Smith said. “We were talking about everything that was going to go down. I kept thinking about this moment. I was like ‘Man it’s not over yet. God has a bigger purpose for me.’
Smith said that he looked Pruitt in the eye and told him, “I don’t know why I feel this way. I don’t know what’s telling me to do this, but I know I’m going to play next year and I know I’m going to play well. I know it’s going to happen.”
He did play and played well, starting 12 games at left guard and earning All-SEC first-team honors. Smith announced in January that he was returning for his senior season, buoyed by the belief that he can play even better.
Pruitt attended the awards ceremony in Frisco, Texas. Smith spoke of his coach “supporting him every step of the way” and telling him, “Don’t change anything. Just keep trying. Act like your season is coming up. Keep going. Keep going.”
Small wonder then that Smith stood by his coach after the Vols’ 1-4 start last season. Smith improved throughout the season and was a big factor in UT finishing with a six-game winning streak.
Smith punctuated his thoughts by saying: “We have to impact people while we have this time on earth. That’s what it’s really about. That’s what’s most important.”
In other football news:
No Raise in Ticket Prices: UT athletic director Phillip Fulmer announced Monday that ticket prices will not increase for the upcoming football season.
Fulmer also said that the 2020 price for “no donation required” seating in Neyland Stadium’s south end zone will drop $60 for the season to $300.
The Vol Pass also is returning. It allows fans to choose their seats for all home games via an online selection process.
“When Neyland Stadium is rocking, it’s unlike any place else in the country,” Pruitt said.
Caldwell Returning: Steve Caldwell, a former assistant on Fulmer’s football staff (1995-2008), is returning to UT as an assistant director for life skills and character development. Caldwell will work in conjunction with Dr. Mikki Allen, the director of the VFL program.
Caldwell, who coached defensive ends and was special teams coordinator for five years, will focus on mentoring and guidance relating to academics and athletics, along with personal growth and social responsibilities.
“One of the greatest joys I’ve had in my 43 years of coaching college football is mentoring young men off the field,” Caldwell said. “It’s extremely rewarding to shape their lives in ways that transcend football.”
Taylor Leadership Leader: Vols junior defensive back Alontae Taylor has been voted by his peers to be a vice chair of the SEC’s football leadership council. Taylor will attend the conference’s spring meetings in May.
The council engages with both UT leadership and the conference office on issues related to student-athletes.
Taylor appeared in all 13 games last season and had six starts.
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri who covered University of Tennessee athletics for the Knoxville News Sentinel from 1988-2019. He may be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com