This morning ESPN dropped the updated ESPN 300, which ranks the top 300 football prospects in the 2017 class, and Jackson, Tennessee offensive tackle prospect Trey Smith topped the list. Smith, one of the Rebels’ top targets, lost his mother last February, but she still has a profound impact on his recruitment.
He holds offers from across the nation, including teams such as Alabama, Notre Dame, Stanford, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Florida State, Duke, Florida and many, many more. Last year he was named Tennessee’s division II-A Mr. Football lineman award, which are given by TSSAA, but hosted by the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
His 247sports profile lists him at 6’5 and 302 pounds with a composite ranking 58th overall and four stars. The Crystal Ball says Tennessee and Ole Miss being deadlocked in a tie for his signature based expert’s prediction.
However, he was in Oxford over the weekend, his second trip to Oxford this month, enjoying the Double Decker Arts Festival.
In fact, due to regular visits to Oxford during his recruitment, it would seem that Smith’s actions, though he has yet to name a leader, show his true feelings.
While Alabama is a major player in his recruitment, he made it no secret the visits that he went on with his mother are special to him. She saw Tennessee, but he has also shared the Ole Miss offer being first is significant.
He’s been to Ole Miss many times since that day and that is likely because Oxford is where he is most comfortable. The Rebels would love to add Smith as well as Walker Little in 2017, with Ben Brown already in the boat. Adding those two could close out the offensive line group in the class.
Laremy Tunsil seemed sure bet to be the first pick in the NFL Draft prior to the Titans trading out of the first pick a few weeks ago.
Though the Rebels won’t have number one overall, it still appears they could have three players drafted in the round one.
Getting the top prospect in the 2017 class, especially one at Tunsil’s old spot in Oxford would certainly make the pain of not having number one overall in the 2016 draft class.
Other Ole Miss targets in the updated rankings:
#7 Marvin Wilson – DT – Houston, TX – Episcopal High School
#22 JaCoby Stevens – ATH – Murfreesboro, TN – Oakland High School
#23 Cam Akers – RB – Clinton, MS – Clinton High School
#28 DJ Johnson – DE – Sacramento, CA – Burbank High School
#31 Tee Higgins – WR – Oak Ridge, TN – Oak Ridge High School
#34 LaBryan Ray – DT – Madison, AL – James Clemens High School
#47 Jamyest Williams – CB – Lawrenceville, GA – Archer High School
#63 DD Bowie – WR – Morton, MS – Morton High School (commit)
#65 Anthony Hines III – Plano, TX – Plano East Sr. High School (former MSU)
#74 CJ Avery – LB – Grenada, MS – Grenada High School
#77 Jeremiah Holloman – WR – Covington, GA – Newton High School
#100 Tua Tagovailoa – QB – Honolulu, HI – Saint Louis School
#113 Malcom Askew – ATH – McCalla, AL – McAdory High School
#152 Willie Gay – LB – Starkville, MS – Starkville High School
#191 Walker Little – OT – Houston, TX – Episcopal High School
#202 Ty Chandler – RB – Nashville, TN – Montgomery Bell Academy (OM legacy)
#231 Addison Gumbs – LB – Hayward, CA – Stellar Prep High School
#234 Devonta Smith – WR – Amite, LA – Amite High School
#267 Josh Clarke – LB – Jefferson, LA – Riverdale High School
#274 Tadarian Moultry – LB – Birmingham, AL – Jackson-Olin High School