Tennessee will open its 2024 campaign against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 31.

In anticipation of the season opener, VolReport is highlighting a former Vols player whose jersey number matches the amount of days until kickoff.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

With 74 days to go, Jeff Smith, who was an All-American and All-SEC offensive lineman for the Vols is selected.

A Decatur, Tennessee native, Smith starred at Meigs High School before signing with the Tennessee in 1992. He played in 44 games over the next four years, with the Vols going on a dominant stretch that included 38 wins and 10 losses and a No. 3 finish in the final 1995 Associated Press poll.

Smith was a key part of that success, blocking for a prolific Tennessee offense led by quarterbacks Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning, while his blocking also helped running back James Stewart rush for a then-program record 2,890 yards.

Smith was named twice named All-SEC in 1993 and 1995 and was a First Team All-America selection in 1994.

Smith played seven seasons in the NFL, first with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was selected in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft.

He played in 59 games in his pro career with 33 starts with stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring following the 2002 season.

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