What we learned as Tennessee Vols prepare for pro day in front of NFL scouts

Four former Tennessee football players – offensive linemen Trey Smith and Brandon Kennedy, wide receiver Josh Palmer and defensive back Bryce Thompson – will participate in pro day workouts in front of NFL evaluators on Thursday at UT.

The workouts will be closed to the media.

Smith and Palmer have the potential to be selected within the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, while Thompson projects as a late-round selection. Kennedy profiles as an undrafted free agent.

The four NFL prospects met with reporters on Wednesday. Here are five things we learned.

Trey Smith plans to ease any concerns about blood clots

Smith started 41 games for Tennessee while building an impressive resume. A three-time All-SEC honoree, he earned second-team All-America honors in 2020.

Smith joined former Vols quarterback Joshua Dobbs as the only Tennessee football players since 1970 to receive the Torchbearer Award, the university's highest student honor given to seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to service.

NFL evaluators’ top concern with Smith could be his health. He was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in 2018, and he missed five games that season.

The Jackson, Tennessee, native, returned to play in every game the past two seasons.

In 2019, Smith participated in just two full-contact practices all season while following a specialized medical plan that limited his practice participation. As a senior, his medical team adjusted the plan, allowing him to be a full-contact practice participant.

“Once teams do their due diligence and they talk to my doctors and the specialists that I went across the country to go see, they’ll sort of see the plan that we have set, and they’ll have more confidence in it, as well,” Smith said. “I know it’s something that we haven’t been completely open about in the past due to my own privacy, but at the end of the day, it’s a plan that not only will sustain itself in the NFL, it will have a lot of success, as well, and hopefully it will be a way to pioneer ground for people with my same issues, that have blood clotting issues and things of that nature.

“And then you look at people like (NFL offensive linemen) David Andrews and Russell Okung, they’ve been playing, and they’ve had very similar issues that I’ve had, and we’re talking about very high-level offensive linemen.”

Andrews was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs in 2019 and missed the entire season before returning to play with the Patriots in 2020. Okung also was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in 2019. He returned to play part of that season with the Chargers, and he played with the Panthers last season.

Trey Smith seeks NFL feedback

Smith said he finishes each Zoom interview with NFL personnel with a question: What can he do to improve his game?

“I have been getting feedback on certain things like hand placement, body balance and control and overaggression,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about getting better as a player. I love getting the feedback, because these are the people who are going to be my future employers.”

Josh Palmer gets Senior Bowl attention

Palmer earned a strong review for his performance at the Senior Bowl in January, and he also seized the chance to make his pitch to NFL teams.

“I met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl,” Palmer said. “That was quite the experience, just being able to talk to those guys.”

Bryce Thompson pitches versatility

Thompson spent most of three seasons at Tennessee as a cornerback, but he also gained experience as a safety and a nickelback. He considers himself a cornerback first and foremost, but he knows his versatility is a selling point for NFL teams.

“I’m always willing to play any position just to get on the field,” Thompson said. “I definitely think (that versatility) is going to help me. Any NFL team can definitely put me anywhere they choose, and I’m going to make plays there regardless.”

Brandon Kennedy uses Alabama ties

Kennedy spent six seasons on a college roster – the first three at Alabama before finishing his career at Tennessee. He’s seeking advice from Lester Cotten and J.C. Hassenauer, two former Alabama offensive linemen who are now in the NFL, as he prepares for the next step in his career.

“They’ve been there for me,” Kennedy said. “I’m grateful to have those resources.”

Blake Toppmeyer covers University of Tennessee football. Email him at blake.toppmeyer@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. If you enjoy Blake’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. Current subscribers can click here to join Blake's subscriber-only text group offering updates and analysis on Vols football.