Brody Smith, a class of 2026 offensive lineman, was extended his first scholarship offer from Tennessee football after a great showing at the Night at Neyland camp. His dad, 11-year NFL tight end Lee Smith, received his first offer from Tennessee when he was entering college.
Lee committed to Tennessee, the school his father and all-time great Vol Daryle Smith played, but an off-field issue forced him to Marshall. He stood by his son as Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel gave his son the news.
“He just talked to me and my grandma and my dad and he told me he was going to give me the offer,” Smith said. “It was a great feeling. It was nothing like it.”
Smith grew up a Tennessee fan, living in Knoxville and attending Bearden High School. The offer was accompanied by a whirlwind of emotion for him and his family.
“It was amazing,” Smith said. “The emotions, you can’t even explain this, how amazing it feels. My grandma was super happy. My dad also was happy for me because Tennessee was his first offer as well, so it was kind of cool to see that happen and see my family still love it for me.”
The 6-foot-5.5 and 241-pound offensive lineman is still early in his recruitment, but plans to camp with South Carolina and others over the summer. He also plans to visit the Gamecocks, Tennessee and Wisconsin for a game this fall. He said he “really likes” Wisconsin and is talked to South Carolina often as well.
He was familiar with Tennessee before his visit and camp, but he was impressed with the planned renovations shown to him during the visit.
“I thought it was really cool, what they are building,” Smith said. “They’re building like over a hundred million dollars worth or something and it’s an outdoor venue, basketball court. It’s, it’s really cool and there’s, no other college that has the kind of stuff that they’re building.”
Smith also got to interact with current plays and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee. Smith spent a lot of time with Trevor Duncan as the two overlapped at Catholic High School.
The players all had a common message for Smith: Elarbee is a player’s coach.
“I really liked it,” Smith said. “I also really liked the way he is so close with his players and I really, I really liked him and I liked the way he coaches. I think it definitely is very effective. I really like it.”
Smith is a rising name in terms of his recruitment, and Tennessee seems like an early favorite for his talents.
