Vols star player offers emotional farewell to Tennessee fans, teammates, and coaches
One of the best players to ever suit up for the Tennessee Vols offered an emotional farewell to fans, teammates, and coaches on Friday. Vols running back Dylan Sampson announced via a post on social media that he's foregoing his final year of eligibility at Tennessee to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. "First and foremost, […]
One of the best players to ever suit up for the Tennessee Vols offered an emotional farewell to fans, teammates, and coaches on Friday.
Vols running back Dylan Sampson announced via a post on social media that he's foregoing his final year of eligibility at Tennessee to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank God for this amazing journey he has put me through," wrote Sampson. "My main purpose in life is to honor and glorify God with the talents that I have been given. I plan to use this gift of football and this platform that I have been given as long as God allows me to. I'm thankful for my family who has sacrificed and supported me unconditionally the whole way. Thank you to the ones who couldn't be here with us today; I carry you with me. To Coach Heupel, Coach Mack, Coach Walt, Coach Sims, and all the staff, thanks for giving this kid from Louisiana the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I am proud to be a part of the first recruiting class under this era I've learned so much and having the chance to be a part of something special, something that was bigger than me, the opportunity to lift this program back to the place where it should be. I am forever grateful. Thank you to all my teammates. I built bonds with over these years. It's a lifetime of memories that I will cherish forever. Vol Nation, your support has been nothing short of amazing. Knoxville has become my home and has made me a better human being over the years. I'm going to miss the feeling of rolling up to Vol Walk, running through the 'T', and hearing the Pride of Southland band play 'Rocky Top.' I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft."
Sampson finishes his career as Tennessee's single-season leader in rushing touchdowns (22) and rushing yards (1,491). The Baton Rouge native is No. 9 on the Vols' all-time career rushing yards list (2,492). Sampson is also No. 2 on Tennessee's all-time career rushing touchdowns list (35).
There was some hope that Tennessee could entice Sampson to stick around for another year via a lucrative NIL deal. But the talented running back is making the smart decision to make the jump to the NFL while his draft stock is at its highest.
With Sampson moving on to the NFL, Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop are the current top running back options on the Vols' depth chart.
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