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Chiefs rookie OL Trey Smith discusses main adjustments between college and the NFL

Sydney Hunte

By Sydney Hunte

Published:

Despite Tennessee having its share of struggles during his time there, Trey Smith was a bright spot along the Volunteers’ offensive line. He finished his career in Knoxville with back-to-back All-SEC First Team selections to go along with an all-conference Second Team pick he garnered as a true freshman in 2017.

Smith had to wait a while for his name to be called in this year’s NFL Draft, but eventually went off the board in the 6th round to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he joins a roster that includes former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire and one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City has established itself as a force in the NFL, beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV before falling to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a year later.

Making the switch from college to the pros is a learning curve that some players have an easier time with than others. Smith, who’s received plenty of time with the starting offensive line group during the Chiefs’ training camp thus far, hopes that he falls into the category of the former.

“One, guys in the league are a lot stronger than college. That’s the first thing,” Smith said, according to the Kansas City Star. “And then just understanding everything we do as an offensive line is so small, so detailed and so technical that just one overstep of the foot, one hand that isn’t placed properly, you could end up on your butt.”

Smith and the Chiefs play their first preseason game of the year on August 14, when they travel to Santa Clara to face the 49ers.

 

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.

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