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College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 26: The University of Tennessee Volunteers line up against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 26: The University of Tennessee Volunteers line up against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

The SEC is loading up on elite young offensive linemen who could be the next No. 1 overall picks in the NFL draft. First, we named Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson and now we move on to Tennessee’s Trey Smith, a five-star from Jackson, Tenn.

Tennessee Volunteers Football
Tennessee Volunteers Football /

Tennessee Volunteers Football

Smith was regarded as one of the best offensive line talents in the 2017 recruiting class and committed to home-state program Tennessee. He enrolled early in January and has been working toward a starting spot with the Volunteers ever since. The coaching staff has been praising him, as have his fellow linemen.

However, there’s always a learning curve for incoming freshmen and Smith is no exception to that. He was recruiting as the nation’s third-best offensive tackle and fifth-best overall recruit, but he’s making the switch, potentially, to the guard position as the offensive line is loaded with returning players.

While only one player on the line is a returning starter, all have been in the system longer than Smith. Still, he could be one of the nation’s best young linemen when the season begins, no matter what position he ends up playing.

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