Tennessee Vols fortify key roster group with a transfer portal acquisition on Sunday
Josh Heupel has proven during his time as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers that he looks to run the ball a lot more than people give him credit for. That tendency came into the light for more people last season when Dylan Sampson had a generational season, setting the school record for rushing touchdowns […]
Josh Heupel has proven during his time as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers that he looks to run the ball a lot more than people give him credit for.
That tendency came into the light for more people last season when Dylan Sampson had a generational season, setting the school record for rushing touchdowns and finishing with the fifth-most in SEC history.
Now, it looks like they'll have a possible solution following Sampson's departure to the NFL. Josh Heupel secured the pledge of Duke transfer running back Star Thomas, per On3 Sports' Hayes Fawcett on Sunday. The 6'0, 210-pound graduate from Homer, Louisiana has one year of eligibility remaining.
The Vols will likely go back to more of a committee approach at the running back position, and Thomas should have a role among that group. Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop – Sampson's primary backups – return in 2025. Khalifa Keith and Cameron Seldon entered the transfer portal after the regular season ended.
Bishop totaled 455 yards on 74 carries with 3 touchdowns for a team-best 6.1 yards per attempt. Lewis had 339 on 64 carries (5.3 ypa) with 3 touchdowns.
Thomas totaled 1024 scrimmage yards last season for Duke with 8 touchdowns. Where Thomas could particularly fit in with Tennessee is in the passing game. Thomas had 20 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown last year. By comparison, Sampson had 20 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in 2024.
The Vols have woefully underused their running backs in the passing game, and Thomas could be a tool that Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle use to improve upon that in 2025.
In any event, Tennessee now has three running backs with substantial experience they can turn to for next season. Given how much the workhorse approach wore down Sampson in 2024, that could be a move that helps ward off the injury bug in the backfield across the season.
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