The Tennessee Vols appear to have their top two running backs
The top of the Tennessee Vols' running back depth chart appears to be set. Vols running backs coach Jerry Mack spoke to reporters on Monday after Tennessee's practice and he seemed to indicate that UT will have a 1a and 1b at the top of the running back depth chart to start the 2021 season. […]
The top of the Tennessee Vols' running back depth chart appears to be set.
Vols running backs coach Jerry Mack spoke to reporters on Monday after Tennessee's practice and he seemed to indicate that UT will have a 1a and 1b at the top of the running back depth chart to start the 2021 season.
Mack heaped praise on sophomore Jabari Small and junior Tiyon Evans, noting that those two running backs have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
"I do think those two guys (Small and Evans) have separated themselves as far as being a little bit more at the top of the depth chart than more at the bottom," said Mack on Monday. "Both of those guys, they can go in the game right now as 1A and 1B and participate."
"They both have very similar skill sets," added Mack. "Jabari is obviously a little bit smaller, a little bit shiftier, has got some experience playing the receiver position, so he can do a lot of different things as far as his repertoire."
"At the same time, you have Tiyon, who has just so much power like I said before, running between the tackles. Those guys have really been a good 1-2 punch throughout fall camp."
"I do think there will be an opportunity for Tiyon and Jabari to contribute at a high level," noted Mack. "Being that 1-2 combination on the field at the same time, I think that would be really cool."
The Vols are actually in a really good spot when it comes to running back depth. While it appears that Small and Evans will carry most of the load, there are still some other options on the roster that should contribute for Tennessee in 2021.
Redshirt freshmen Dee Beckwith and Len'Neth Whitehead, along with true freshman Jaylen Wright, have also impressed Mack at various points during fall camp.
The Vols have more talent than a lot of folks realize. It'll be interesting to see if this staff is able to maximize that talent this season.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services/Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services
