247Sports says the Tennessee Vols have one of the top running backs in the SEC
247Sports recently ranked the top returning running backs in the SEC and Tennessee Vols junior Jabari Small was near the top of their list. Small came at in No. 4 in 247Sports' rankings, just behind Kentucky's Chris Rodriguez, Auburn's Tank Bigsby, and Texas A&M's Devon Achane. Here's what 247Sports had to say about Small: This […]
247Sports recently ranked the top returning running backs in the SEC and Tennessee Vols junior Jabari Small was near the top of their list.
Small came at in No. 4 in 247Sports' rankings, just behind Kentucky's Chris Rodriguez, Auburn's Tank Bigsby, and Texas A&M's Devon Achane.
Here's what 247Sports had to say about Small:
This appears to be one of the more set backfields in the SEC. Small led the Volunteers in yards, carries and touchdowns last season, then backup Tiyon Evans transferred to Louisville. Jaylen Wright had a nice freshman season with 409 yards and four touchdowns, so he should have a big role since Tennessee did not take any transfers at the position.
Small rushed for nearly six yards per carry last season and projects to push hard for the 1,000-yard mark as a junior in 2022, teaming with returning starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Tiyon Evans was actually listed as a co-starter with Small last season. And really, Evans was the one who was pacing the Vols' backfield before he was injured.
With Evans off to Louisville, it should leave Small alone (for now) at the top of the depth chart.
Small rushed for 791 yards and nine touchdowns while splitting carries last season. The Memphis native absolutely has a shot to break 1,000 rushing yards in 2022.
True freshman Justin Williams will also be a big factor for Tennessee in 2022. Williams is a four-star recruit from Georgia who signed with the Volunteers over Auburn this past December. He has the look of a future NFL running back (6-foot/205 lbs…he should add some weight during his first offseason at UT).
Sophomore Jaylen Wright will be another top option in the running game for Tennessee. Wright has elite speed and can be used in a variety of ways in Josh Heupel's offense.
Overall, the Vols have an extremely talented backfield that should find plenty of success in 2022.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
