KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Vols are turning the page to Team 121.

Jan. 11 marked the first day of spring semester classes for the five early enrollees.

After a season that provided wins over Florida, Georgia, Virginia Tech, and Nebraska, losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt loom over the offseason and provide evidence that the program is still under construction.

Butch Jones, the fifth-year head coach, will look for his five new additions to capitalize from the head start on their career with the experience of going through offseason workouts and spring practices – giving the five freshmen valuable experience when fall camp arrives.

The short-list of early enrollees is headlined by the one of the top players in the nation, offensive lineman Trey Smith. Smith’s resume is impressive: a 5-star recruit and rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN, a 2015 and 2016 Nike The Opening participant, 2016 MaxPreps Football All-American First Team Offense, and two-time Tennessee Mr. Football. The Jackson, Tenn., product knew Tennessee was the right choice even with numerous other offers, including Alabama and Ohio State.

“Tennessee just means so much more and the representation of my brand and the things that coach Jones really introduced to me in recruitment, those are all factors that led up to it,” Smith said on his decision to commit to Tennessee. “I think one of the biggest things that led me to come to the University of Tennessee was the players.

“They are great men. The players are the guys that are really going to be my inspiration, the guys that I am going to work with every day in the training facility, the guys I am going to get better with and the guys who are going to mold me into who I am today.”

On top of gaining valuable experience by going through spring practices, Smith is talented enough to provide a big role on the Vols’ offensive line – if not start from Day 1. But Smith is not thinking about starting, his mind is set on getting better, staying humble, being a good teammate, and playing wherever need be.

“No,” Smith said when asked if he was thinking about starting the opener. “None whatsoever because there’s so many factors that go into that. There’s no way to tell. I’m just going to work hard.

“I can play any position. I like the guard spot, but wherever my team needs me at. Right now I’m just going to do whatever my coaches tell me, I’m not going to say I have a position.”

Finding a fit for the 6-foot-6, 313-pound freshman on the offensive line could be an easy option for Jones – and having an open mind from Smith helps Tennessee’s chances of having a better unit in 2017. Smith’s open-mind also shows what he is preparing for in the NFL.

“The more positions you can play, the more versatile you are, the better you are. The more money you can make one day, essentially.”

Smith’s vision of the NFL down the road can also be enhanced by the newly-hired strength and conditioning coach at Tennessee, Rock Gullickson. Gullickson comes to Tennessee from the Los Angeles Rams and has been part of a NFL strength and conditioning staff since 2000.

“I’m really excited to work with him,” Smith said. “He’s one of the best, his knowledge is a great asset to this team.”

As the first week of classes on Rocky Top concludes, the process to the 2017 season preludes with spring practices on the horizon and the development of the nation’s No. 1 high school player into a collegiate player.