Tennessee Vols player named as a 'true freshman who matters in 2022'
247Sports recently named the 100 true freshmen who will "matter" in 2022 and a Tennessee Vols 2022 signee made the list. Four-star running back Justin Williams-Thomas, 6-foot/210 lbs from Dallas, GA, is a player that 247Sports thinks will play a big role for the Vols in 2022. From 247Sports: Williams-Thomas got on campus earlier than […]
247Sports recently named the 100 true freshmen who will "matter" in 2022 and a Tennessee Vols 2022 signee made the list.
Four-star running back Justin Williams-Thomas, 6-foot/210 lbs from Dallas, GA, is a player that 247Sports thinks will play a big role for the Vols in 2022.
Williams-Thomas got on campus earlier than most recruits by participating in some of Tennessee’s bowl practices last year. Those extra reps are a good thing for the Vols, because they need Williams-Thomas to play now. Tennessee doesn’t have a lot of depth at running back, which creates an opportunity for Williams-Thomas to be in the rotation. And Williams-Thomas impressed this spring as he continued to grow: “He attacked the playbook like I’ve never seen,” Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker said.
Wiliams-Thomas should have plenty of opportunities to make an impact as a true freshman.
The Georgia native is currently the No. 3 running back on the Vols' depth chart, behind Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright. Williams-Thomas should be able to carve out a role as Tennessee's short-yardage back, an area where the Vols struggled in 2021.
Tennessee's passing game gets most of the attention, but a strong running game is just as important to the Vols' success. Williams-Thomas will help bolster Tennessee's rushing attack, which in turn will open up the passing game.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
