Trey Smith to Tennessee: Volunteers Land 5-Star OT Prospect

Towering offensive tackle Trey Smith made his collegiate decision Tuesday, officially announcing his commitment to the University of Tennessee, according to Jesse Simonton of SEC Country.

ESPNU shared a photo of Smith after he made his decision:

ESPN Stats & Info tweeted that the SEC once again cornered the market for blue-chip tackles:

Freshman running back Carlin Fils-aime rolled out the red carpet for Smith:

According to Scout, the 5-star recruit is the No. 22 overall player, the No. 4 overall offensive tackle and the No. 1 player at his position from the state of Tennessee in the class of 2017.

Scout lists Smith at 6'6" and 300 pounds, and he had a veritable laundry list of great programs pursuing him, including Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Clemson, among others.

Tennessee made a final pitch over the weekend, and Smith said the meeting was "good overall," in an interview with 247Sports and Rivals (via Simonton). He also had the following to say regarding what the Vols coaches told him: "Just [that I'm] a really big priority. They just really need me."

Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network is a fan of Smith's work, particularly his penchant for never giving up on plays:

The University School of Jackson standout is a potentially special prospect because of his combination of size, strength and athleticism.

While he is already big enough to compete at the collegiate level from a height and weight perspective, he still has room to grow into his frame, and he possesses the type of quickness that isn't often seen in offensive linemen.

He has a lean frame despite being over 300 pounds, and that figures to work to his advantage when he goes up against speedy edge-rushers in college.

The transition from high school to college could be a rude awakening for Smith, though, in terms of the major uptick in speed and strength he'll face from those who line up across from him.

It is highly unlikely that he will dominate from day one like he has throughout much of his high school career, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility that he could start immediately.

Smith is well-equipped to be one of the premier offensive tackles in college football eventually, and while many fantastic schools saw that type of potential in him, only Tennessee will have the opportunity to mold him into a possible superstar.

Keeping top recruits in state is hugely important for Tennessee if it is going to rise to the level of championship contention in the SEC.

Both Alabama and Ole Miss attempted to poach Smith from the Volunteer State, and it would have been a major coup for either school if it had managed to pull it off.

Tennessee is in search of its second consecutive nine-win season, and while that represents progress compared to three years without a bowl appearance from 2011 through 2013, Smith is the type of player it needs to hang with the SEC's elite.

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