Where Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright ranks among the top 25 RBs in the nation
Tennessee Vols junior running back Jaylen Wright had a solid 2022 season (875 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while splitting carries with Jabari Small), but he's taken things to a new level in 2023. Wright has consistently improved his physicality since arriving at Tennessee. This season, however, he looks significantly harder to tackle than he […]
Tennessee Vols junior running back Jaylen Wright had a solid 2022 season (875 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while splitting carries with Jabari Small), but he's taken things to a new level in 2023.
Wright has consistently improved his physicality since arriving at Tennessee. This season, however, he looks significantly harder to tackle than he did a year ago. There have already been several plays this season where Wright was able to pick up extra yards by continuing to churn his legs while pushing the pile forward.
In addition to the improved physicality, Wright also looks like a more patient runner. He's letting blocks develop and not forcing a run when it's not there. As a result, he's averaging a career high 7.2 yards per carry so far this season.
On Friday, On3 revealed their current top 25 running backs in college football and they placed Wright at No. 6 on their list.
From On3: So much went wrong for Tennessee against Florida on Saturday that Wright turning in a fine performance was, understandably, overshadowed. And following back-to-back 100 yard-plus outings, his showing Saturday did fall short.
But Wright has still been one of the most effective running backs to date. He carried 16 times for 63 yards against Florida, bringing his season total to 296 yards at a 7.2 yards per carry clip. He has yet to find the end zone in 2023.
Not a lot has gone right for the Vols' offense early this season, but Wright has been a bright spot. Tennessee will need to continue to give Wright the ball often (as well as sophomore running back Dylan Sampson, who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball) if they're going to get their offense on the right track.
Tennessee's offense is at its best when the running game is working. The Vols need to establish the run early against UTSA this weekend. Otherwise, Tennessee could be on upset alert against a program that might not have a lot of brand recognition, but is far from a pushover.
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