Tennessee star offensive lineman Trey Smith took home a prestigious award named after a former Vol in Texas on Tuesday night.

The All-SEC guard won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award — "annually to the Division I college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field," according to Tennessee's release — during a ceremony at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility in Frisco.

Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders and Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman were the other finalists for the award, but Smith is a deserving winner given his determination to return to the field in 2019 after blood clots in his lungs threatened his football career in addition to what he's done in the Knoxville community and in his home state, from speaking to youth groups and elementary schools and leading coat drives with donations surpassing 1,000 coats for Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry the past two years.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized as the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, especially knowing what other great football leaders the other finalists are,” Smith said in Tennessee's release. “It’s humbling and I’m so thankful for the continued support of my family, coaches and the University of Tennessee, who are always in my corner.”

Smith was accompanied at Tuesday night's ceremony by Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt, athletic director Phillip Fulmer, his sister Ashley and other members of the football staffer.

The award also comes with a $10,000 donation in Smith's name to Tennessee's athletic scholarship fund from Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, the official charity of the former Tennessee tight end and his wife, Michelle.

Witten played for Fulmer during his career with the Vols and has gone on to a 16-year career in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2012 after previously being nominated in 2007. This is the third year of the college football version of the award.

Smith took home the Fritz Pollard Trophy, which honors a college player who has exemplified extraordinary courage, community values, and exceptional performance on the field, at the 15th annual Johnnie L. Cochran Foundation Jr. Salute to Excellence Awards in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earlier this month.

“It’s really cool that earning this award will also benefit the athletics department and the other student-athletes that are a part of the amazing Volunteers family,” Smith said. “It makes it even more special that Jason Witten is a VFL and set the standard for so many in terms of on-the-field and off-the-field leadership and community service.”

Smith, an All-SEC selection and Freshman All-American in 2017, started seven games at left tackle in 2018 when the blood clots returned to his lungs midway through the season, but in 2019 he started every game at left guard and was an All-SEC first-team selection in helping the Vols go 8-5.

He announced last month he would pass on entering the NFL Draft to return for his senior season.

“I’m glad to be continuing my journey in Knoxville,” the 6-6 lineman said. “We have unfinished business on the field, but I’m also excited to still be involved with our community and help out and hopefully make an impact where I can.”