I have a sneaking suspicion that Trey Smith's early strong play and presence are having a much larger impact than can be reported or quantified. Everyone has commented that Smith is a Freshman well matured beyond his years, both mentally and physically and playing at a high level for a Freshman. He's creating competition on the OL and bringing a nastiness to competition with the DL.
But there's another thing I think he's bringing because of his talent, mentality, and youth, and that's:
1) A lack of excuses for every upperclassmen on the roster not to perform better than him at their relative positions, especially upperclassmen OL who should beat him because of experience and seniority, whether on the OL or DL (Trey Smith is comin for your spot, boy; buck up);
2) A lack of excuses for other freshmen who are EEs and those that will be coming to campus not to fight to beat out upperclassmen and win a job if they can; (Trey's doing it, why can't you?)
3) A sense of urgency for anyone trying to win a starting job to bring a high level of intensity because that freshman who should be in HS does every day and that's the baseline, so meet it;
and
4) Setting a new standard, not only for incoming freshman, but other players on the squad who may not have the same intensity or drive that Smith brought in with him that may reshape the culture in our football program.
Bottom-line: The kid is a leader and he doesn't seem to be inclined to wait on anything. I truly believe that having someone that young and hungry can set the tone for an entire team and class of freshman. It can change the entire team's culture. Players like Kongbo, Taylor, Warrior, Martin, Callaway, Osborne, etc., all have no excuses not to bring a higher level of skill and intensity to their crafts.
Even if the kid doesn't start or play much, I believe we'll see the Trey Smith Effect this season and the whole team will be better for it.
But there's another thing I think he's bringing because of his talent, mentality, and youth, and that's:
1) A lack of excuses for every upperclassmen on the roster not to perform better than him at their relative positions, especially upperclassmen OL who should beat him because of experience and seniority, whether on the OL or DL (Trey Smith is comin for your spot, boy; buck up);
2) A lack of excuses for other freshmen who are EEs and those that will be coming to campus not to fight to beat out upperclassmen and win a job if they can; (Trey's doing it, why can't you?)
3) A sense of urgency for anyone trying to win a starting job to bring a high level of intensity because that freshman who should be in HS does every day and that's the baseline, so meet it;
and
4) Setting a new standard, not only for incoming freshman, but other players on the squad who may not have the same intensity or drive that Smith brought in with him that may reshape the culture in our football program.
Bottom-line: The kid is a leader and he doesn't seem to be inclined to wait on anything. I truly believe that having someone that young and hungry can set the tone for an entire team and class of freshman. It can change the entire team's culture. Players like Kongbo, Taylor, Warrior, Martin, Callaway, Osborne, etc., all have no excuses not to bring a higher level of skill and intensity to their crafts.
Even if the kid doesn't start or play much, I believe we'll see the Trey Smith Effect this season and the whole team will be better for it.
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