Tennessee star becomes first Vol to reach impressive statistical mark in 8 years
Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright has been one of the most electric running backs in the SEC this year. The junior from Durham, NC averaged a scorching 7.4 yards per carry through 11 games, providing breakaway speed, intelligent vision, and powerful running. Now, he has a new descriptor amid his impressive season: 1000-yard back. Wright […]
Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright has been one of the most electric running backs in the SEC this year. The junior from Durham, NC averaged a scorching 7.4 yards per carry through 11 games, providing breakaway speed, intelligent vision, and powerful running.
Now, he has a new descriptor amid his impressive season: 1000-yard back.
Wright eclipsed the 1000-yard mark on Saturday against Vanderbilt. He gained 75 yards on 11 carries, which put him at 1013 on the season with the bowl game still to go.
The stretch of time between 100-yard rushers speaks to the honor itself. It had been since 2015 that Tennessee had its most recent 1000-yard back. That was Jalen Hurd, who ran for 1285 yards on 277 carries (4.6 ypc). Alvin Kamara was second that year with 698 yards on 107 carries (6.5 ypc).
Reaching the milestone wasn't lost on the guys blocking for him, including TE Jacob Warren.
“Yeah, it’s huge man. Jaylen Wright is one of the most talented guys I have been around. Just his work ethic and the way that he has changed his body. Just how he looks, he is a freak. He has done a really good job, the offensive line has done a really good job. I think that just being around someone that doesn't necessarily get pointed out enough is the work that McCallan (Castles) and I do. Whether it is just inserting, cutting off the backside, or just making things right when they fall apart. That leads to a lot of those gains. Again, not saying that it is all me but I am proud of myself and of him (McCallan Castles) and of our running backs. Just going out there and competing every single week. Regardless of what's going on like injuries on the line, or whatever it was, he (Jaylen Wright) would always go and compete. We know he always gives his all for us." – Jacob Warren via Tennessee Athletics
Wright and the running game were able to keep producing throughout the year despite injury woes the offensive line has faced. The most recent include Javontez Spraggins, Gerald Mincey, and John Campbell, Jr. all going down with injury, and Cooper Mays – who missed the first four games of the season – left early with a lower body injury on Saturday against Vanderbilt.
The passing game also didn't do the running game many favors throughout the year, with Joe Milton and the Vols' pass catchers struggling to find consistency from week to week.
Regardless, it goes without saying that the Vols have a rising superstar in the backfield. With a more stable offensive line and a better passing game in 2024, the sky is the limit for Wright.
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