Pair of Tennessee Vols named as sleepers to make All-SEC team after 2024 season
A pair of Tennessee Vols players were recently named by On3 as "sleepers" to make a post-season All-SEC team in 2024. On3's Jesse Simonton pointed out Vols junior running back Dylan Sampson and super senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas as sleeper candidates to make an All-SEC team after the season. Neither Sampson or Thomas were […]
A pair of Tennessee Vols players were recently named by On3 as "sleepers" to make a post-season All-SEC team in 2024.
On3's Jesse Simonton pointed out Vols junior running back Dylan Sampson and super senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas as sleeper candidates to make an All-SEC team after the season.
Neither Sampson or Thomas were named as members of the preseason All-SEC teams at SEC Media Days earlier this month.
From On3: Much like quarterback and receiver in the SEC this fall, there are only so many spots for a conference flush with really good defensive linemen, so Thomas probably can’t be justified as a true snub. Still, the Vols have among the best DLs in the SEC this fall, and not a single Tennessee lineman made any of the three teams. Thomas isn’t flashy, and certainly won’t stuff the stat sheet (just 11 career TFLs), but if he’s a key cog in another Top 20 run defense he could make a team come the end of the year.
In a backup role in 2023, Sampson averaged 5.7 yards per carry and led Tennessee with seven rushing touchdowns. He finished with 604 yards — which ranks in the Top 10 among all returning SEC tailbacks. Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small are off to the NFL, so Sampson becomes the top dog in Tennessee’s backfield this year. The Vols are always going to lean on the ground game to open up play-action shots downfield, and Sampson should see ample carries as they look to ease into the Nico Iamaleavea era.
It's easy to see how Thomas is flying under the radar. Interior defensive linemen don't always receive a lot of hype. And Thomas, despite being a key part of Tennessee's defense the last few seasons, doesn't put up gaudy numbers.
Sampson, meanwhile, could be in for a massive season in 2024.
The Louisiana native is Tennessee's undisputed No. 1 running back entering the 2024 season. Sampson rushed for 604 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 while splitting carries with Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small.
Wright and Small are both off to the NFL, leaving Sampson as the Vols' most experienced running back. Tennessee will still do their best to rotate running backs in 2024, but Sampson will undoubtedly see the highest percentage of carries. If he stays healthy, Sampson should easily top 1,000 rushing yards this fall.
Bob Stoops should root for Josh Heupel over Oklahoma in 2024 and it shouldn’t even be a hard decision
Bob Stoops knows Josh Heupel quite well
