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Tennessee Football: ‘Man of the Year Award’ doesn’t deserve Trey Smith

By Colton Pickard

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Trey Smith is the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, and if we’re being honest, the MotY award doesn’t deserve Trey Smith.

When I told my roommate that Tennessee Football fan-favorite Trey Smith won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, he jumped with gitty as he couldn’t contain his excitement for Trey.

I imagine this is how many throughout the state felt when the news came across their screens. Trey Smith has gone through so much at Tennessee, and he’s made the decision to return to Rocky Top for his senior season.

After everything that he’s gone through, there’s no one more deserving in the country to receive this award.

After being diagnosed with blood clots, he was forced to take some time off, and when he returned, he was put on a specialized medical treatment and practice plan that limited him to only two full-contact practices all season.

When he returned to the playing field last fall, he dominated and rose back up as one of the best offensive linemen in the country after not getting nearly as many practice reps as everyone else.

Smith traveled to Frisco, Texas, and shared the ceremony with Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt and athletic director Phillip Fulmer in the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility “The Star.”

"“It’s truly an honor to be recognized as the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, especially knowing what other great football leaders the other finalists are,” Smith said in a school news release. “It’s humbling and I’m so thankful for the continued support of my family, coaches and the University of Tennessee, who are always in my corner.”"

There’s no doubt that Trey Smith has the support of the entire state and all of VolNation. I think it came as a surprise to many that he made the decision to return for his senior season, but he is willing to give his all for Tennessee today and any day so we shouldn’t be too surprised.

It was also unique to see a VFL be awarded an award as prestigious as a ‘Man of the Year’ award that is named after another VFL, and Smith recognized that.

"“It makes it even more special that Jason Witten is a VFL and set the standard for so many in terms of on-the-field and off-the-field leadership and community service,” Smith added."

Next. Tennessee Titans: If you already didn’t know, Derrick Henry is a beast. dark

There’s no one more deserving in college football to receive this award than Trey Smith. Now it’s time to improve on 2019 and have an even better 2020.

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