Vols redshirt senior calls teammate 'electric' and 'easy to root for'
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren, who scored a touchdown in UT's season-opening win against the Virginia Cavaliers, had plenty of great things to say about sophomore running back Dylan Sampson on Sunday. Warren joined "Off the Hook Sports" for his weekly appearance and he was asked by host Dave Hooker about Sampson […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren, who scored a touchdown in UT's season-opening win against the Virginia Cavaliers, had plenty of great things to say about sophomore running back Dylan Sampson on Sunday.
Warren joined "Off the Hook Sports" for his weekly appearance and he was asked by host Dave Hooker about Sampson after the Baton Rouge native scored four touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving) against the Cavaliers.
"We've all kind of seen it develop," said Warren when asked about Sampson's big day. "And just seeing how he's grown as a player. Obviously, got here last year and made a good impact. [He] did his job and made some plays and kind of showed up whenever he was called upon. But [he] truly has stepped up and worked a lot in the weight room, in the film room, and just trying to understand his role. And obviously gets met with an opportunity like that and is able to go out there and smash it. Four touchdowns [in the] first game is crazy. Couldn't happen to a better guy, too. Just super appreciative, super thankful, and super humble dude. And so it's really easy to root for him and happy to see him have a big day."
When asked which one word he'd use to describe Sampson, Warren went with electric.
"Electric is the right word," said Warren. "I mean you said it. I think that's exactly how I feel about him. And he's fast, he's shifty. He makes people miss. He reminds me a lot of guys like Alvin Kamara. In my mind is a similar body type and just style of running back. Really low to the ground, able to just kind of make people miss without really even trying it looks like. That's kind of how most of our backs are. But just an electric player for sure."
Sampson showed flashes of his elite abilities last season, rushing for 397 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman despite playing behind Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small.
The talented running back will once again share carries this fall — which is a good thing since it'll keep all three of Tennessee's top running backs fresh — but he should see more touches than he did a year ago.
Sampson has the type of speed and shiftiness that drives opposing defensing coordinators mad and I'm sure will see the Vols utilize those skills plenty in 2023.
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel deserves a lot of respect for what he did after Vols’ win against Virginia
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel deserves a lot of respect for what he did after the Vols’ win against Virginia
Featured image via Caitie McMekin / News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
