Originally Posted by :
Henry Louis "Trey" Smith III has gone through much adversity since high school but continues to battle. His mother, Dorsetta, passed away from congestive heart failure when he was at the University School at Jackson in Tennessee. While there, he excelled on the gridiron, winning the Mr. Football Award twice and garnering a first-team All-American and top-10 overall recruit rating nationally. The Volunteers kept him in-state, and he received second-team All-SEC, Freshman All-American, and SEC All-Freshman recognition as a 12-game starter (eight at right guard, four at left tackle). After the season, however, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. Smith fought through that malady to return for the 2018 campaign but had to stop after seven starts at left tackle as doctors believed the clots had returned. However, additional study of those test results showed that doctors might have actually seen scar tissue from the previous clots. Smith worked hard in the offseason, losing 40 pounds, and he garnered 2019 first-team All-SEC honors after moving inside to left guard, where he started 12 of 13 games played. He was a first-team all-conference selection again in 2020, starting all 11 games at left guard for the Volunteers. He received the Jason Witten Award for leadership on the field and community service off the field, as well as the Fritz Pollard Trophy for extraordinary courage and community values. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
When putting together a guard built for an NFL power-based scheme, the blueprint would probably look like Smith. He's big, wide, strong, long and will flash an aggressive streak when he gets geared up. The lack of body control and technique he put on tape suggests it may be difficult for him to overcome his limited athleticism. An offseason of fundamentals work should help Smith become more efficient into first contact, which will really unlock his power at the point of attack. He's been one of the more talked about guard prospects over the last few years but might be in for a bumpy beginning as he adjusts to the athletes and technicians he will face as a pro. Strengths
Elite size and length for the position.
Frame is broad and thick.
Very heavy-handed with plus upper-body strength.
Able to throw a sack of bricks at opponent when he punches.
Has physical potential to become dominant with better technique.
Drive power to turn base blocks out of the gap.
Can bang and cave his down-blocks.
Knock-back pop on both first and second levels.
Good job of finding targets on his short pulls.
Sets a very firm anchor against bull rushers.
Has faced off against a variety of current pro defenders during career.
Weaknesses
Lack of range shows up in run game and pass sets.
Long first step, causing him to overshoot his landmark and lose positioning.
Needs better footwork and hand clinch for improved sustain.
Will cheat secure block to save time getting up to linebacker on combos.
Plays with hitch and outside hands with pass punch.
Below-average body control and recovery potential.
Loses balance and positioning against rush counters.
Struggles to redirect weight after biting on fakes in pass pro.
Slide quickness to cut off the gaps is a concern.
Has dealt with blood clotting issues.
Sources Tell Us
"I guess you don't like big, aggressive guards, Lance? I know he has things to work on, but they can be coached up. The (history of blood clots) is a much bigger issue than anything on tape for me." -- Personnel executive for NFC team
I’m so happy for @TreySmith73 going to the @chiefs. Finally. Chiefs Kingdom got an awesome player and fantastic human!!
Originally Posted by Hoover:
With our draft picks it would seem to be easy to grad a good RT prospect. Playing next to our interior line should create a nice landing spot for someone.
Nearly every mock draft I do, I end up taking an OT in the 3rd, usually either Kellen Diesch from AZ State or Max Mitchell from UL. Solid place to get a good RT to complete our baller O-line. The other five picks can usually snag a WR, Edge, IDL, CB/S and either double up on one of those (usually Edge if I snag Ojabo) or sometimes RB Raschaad White from AZ St depending on how the board falls. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief:
I honestly can't think of one instance where a dominant guard moved to tackle and played at even close to the same level.
Sure, but that's usually because they don't have the physical profile to play tackle. Smith does, he only moved inside because Tennessee got a five star LT while he was dealing with his health issues. In some ways it's comparable to a rookie tackle playing guard then shifting back outside in year 2, which is not uncommon. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Jamie:
Sure, but that's usually because they don't have the physical profile to play tackle. Smith does, he only moved inside because Tennessee got a five star LT while he was dealing with his health issues. In some ways it's comparable to a rookie tackle playing guard then shifting back outside in year 2, which is not uncommon.
I remember back in the day the great Will Shields played some LT and you would have thought he was an all pro at LT as well. [Reply]
What an great pick. Veach and Andy did an outstanding job fixing the Oline in 1 off-season. Made me forgive Veach for passing on DK Metcalf and Jonathan Taylor. [Reply]
Trey Smith is why we don't have to get too worried about Wiley because Trey makes Wiley a better or look better RT. We still need to upgrade RT but not as high of priority as Defensive players. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rasputin:
Trey Smith is why we don't have to get too worried about Wiley because Trey makes Wiley a better or look better RT. We still need to upgrade RT but not as high of priority as Defensive players.
The Chiefs may like Prince Tega Wanogho development/progress to become the starting RT [Reply]
Originally Posted by Jamie:
Sure, but that's usually because they don't have the physical profile to play tackle. Smith does, he only moved inside because Tennessee got a five star LT while he was dealing with his health issues. In some ways it's comparable to a rookie tackle playing guard then shifting back outside in year 2, which is not uncommon.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I agree with you he is talented enough. I just don’t see why you mess with him considering how good he was, unless you really have no other plan at RT.
I’ll trust them to do what they think is best for Smith and the team. Is Grunny just throwing stuff at the wall or is there actual talk in the local KC circles that the Chiefs might be considering this? [Reply]