FRISCO, Texas - Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Trey Smith has won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award given annually to a Division I football player who has shown exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field.
The award was given out Tuesday night at the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility. Other finalists were Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders and Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman.
Smith's career was in question after blood clots were found in his lungs in 2018, but he came back to earn All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors this past season.
Smith has led coat drives for the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry each of the past two seasons, with more than 1,000 coats donated each year. Smith also frequently speaks to youth groups and elementary schools.
A $10,000 contribution in Smith's name will go to his school's athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Witten's SCORE Foundation.
Witten is a former Vols tight end who was drafted by the Cowboys in 2003, played for them through the 2017 season before retiring, then returned again last season.
Caldwell is back
KNOXVILLE - Former longtime assistant football coach Steve Caldwell is returning to the Tennessee athletic department as an assistant director of life skills and character development.
In his new role, Caldwell's job will include forming development plans to assist incoming football players as they adapt to campus life and college athletics. He will provide guidance on academics, athletics, life skills, personal and professional growth and social responsibilities.
Caldwell worked as Tennessee's defensive ends coach from 1995 to 2008 and special teams coordinator from 2000 to 2005 on a coaching staff led by Phillip Fulmer, who is now the school's athletic director.
"Steve played a key role during an era of extraordinary success for Tennessee football," Fulmer said in a released statement. "He knows this community, this campus and the history of this program. He understands the behind-the-scenes work that goes into winning at the highest level."
Fulmer added that Caldwell is "a man of great integrity and character."