Daune Morris gave Tennessee more than a late touchdown and a former Vols QB wants Josh Heupel to use it
Tennessee Vols sophomore RB Daune Morris rushed for 98 yards on 10 carries in a big win against Georgia Tech.
Tennessee may have a development on its hands that will feel familiar for Vols fans.
Back in 2023, the Vols went into the season with Jaylen Wright as the clear No. 1 option at running back, and Jabari Small as the assumed No. 2 running back.
Then-sophomore Dylan Sampson, who rushed for 397 yards as a true freshman in 2022, was penciled in as the No. 3 option.
It didn’t take long for Sampson to emerge as the clear No. 2 running back in 2023 (and then he obviously had a huge season as a junior in 2024).
A similar situation may be unfolding for the Vols in 2026.
Daune Morris is looking like Tennessee’s No. 2 running back early in 2026
Going into the 2026 season, the general feeling was that Tulane transfer Javin Gordon was the No. 2 option behind starter DeSean Bishop with sophomore Daune Morris penciled in as the No. 3 option.
But after Tennessee’s 45-24 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday night, it may be Morris that is the No. 2 option.
And it’s not just because of Morris’ big night against the Yellow Jackets — 98 yards on 10 carries — but also how his running style complements Bishop’s.
Former Volunteers quarterback Jonathan Crompton shared some thoughts on the running back situation on the A to Z Sports live postgame show on Saturday night.
“Daune Morris is very exciting to watch,” said Crompton. “It kind of brings back memories of the 2023 season with Wright and Sampson. Where Wright was the bell cow — he was going to get the majority of the carries — but we all knew that Sampson was going to be the next dude.
“I really think [Tennessee has] another good group of backs coming, and it starts with Morris. I like watching him run. … I think [Tennessee has] a real good one-two punch. I know Bishop is the guy, but the big play threat, in my opinion, is Morris.”
Crompton added that he thinks Morris is clearly the best option to be the No. 2 running back behind Bishop.
“Listen, that is nothing against Gordon,” explained Crompton while talking about Morris being the No. 2 running back. “I know (Gordon) got banged up. I don’t really know what the injury was, but you watch Morris and you go, ‘That kid is special with the ball in his hands.’ Truthfully, get that kid a package. And I remember saying that same thing about Sampson as a true freshman, saying get this kid the ball some way, somehow. It doesn’t have to be 40 times a game, but just get him a package. Put him in the slot or get him a bubble screen — one of the easiest plays in football. Just get him the ball in space. … Put him on the field at the same time (as Bishop). There could be something special there in my opinion.”
Earlier this month, VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs said that Morris has “turned the corner” after a tough true freshman season a year ago.
It certainly looked like that was the case on Saturday night against Georgia Tech.
As Crompton said, the praise for Morris isn’t an indictment of Gordon — the Tulane transfer is a good player. But Morris has the higher ceiling as a big play threat, and he brings the explosive Dylan Sampson-like element to the running game that Tennessee’s offense badly needs.
