Vols Offensive Lineman Trey Smith Cleared to Play This Fall

Tennessee sophomore offensive lineman Trey Smith has been cleared for fall practice after being held out of spring drills because of an undisclosed medical condition.

The return of Smith, a second-team All-SEC pick as a freshman in 2017, is big as Jeremy Pruitt prepares for his first season as the Vols coach. Pruitt said at the Southeastern Conference Media Days on Wednesday that he “can’t wait to get him back.”

Smith was one of 12 players held out of spring practice for medical reasons. With Smith and others back, Pruitt says, “I think we’ll get the best out of everybody.”

Pruitt, the former defensive coordinator at Alabama, Georgia and Florida State, was hired to rebuild the Tennessee program. The Vols finished 4-8 and 0-8 in the SEC last season.

Pruitt says he has found boosters, fans, players and the Tennessee administration “all running in the same direction and that’s all it takes.”