Running Back Position Expected to be a Strength For Tennessee

Joe Milton’s arm strength has garnered plenty of attention for the Vols.
But the strength of the Vols running backs room might deserve the same hype.
Tennessee returns their top three leading rushers from last year, and they’ve added a couple of talented freshmen as well.

Last year the Vols averaged just a tick under 200-yards rushing a game.
Maybe those numbers will be better this season because it seems the running backs have added some strength.
Said running back Jaylen Wright:”I’d say I’m different in probably every aspect. I’m different in my mind-set. I’m different in my weight. I’m saying I’m different in the way I run. I became more physical.”
Said running backs coach Jerry Mack:”You know Jaylen Wright has grown tremendously as an inside the tackle runner. When he first got here, he was a guy that really wanted to bounce runs. A lot of that is probably from what they asked him to do in high school.”
The extra weight hasn’t slowed down Wright’s speed, as he can still top 20 miles-an-hour.
Reporter:”What’s the fastest you have hit this off-season?”
Said Wright:”I’m still in the same area. 22 or 23. Speed is not going to go no where.”
Vols have added some beef in the backfield in freshman Khalifa Keith, who weighs 230.
Said Mack:”As a runner he is a lot further along than I really even anticipated as a runner right now. Running between the tackles. That guy right there. People don’t want to come up and tackle him too much.”
Jabari Small is back after scoring 15 touchdowns last year.
He missed spring drills after having shoulder surgery.
Said Small:”Obviously I haven’t played in a long time, so I was just excited to get back out there. Get back in the groove of things. Honestly just try to push myself. Obviously just try to get better from last year. Become more physical.”
Tennessee may have a crowded backfield, which is always a good thing given injuries.
Reporter:”Do you have a feel yet for how many guys you can realistically play?”
Said Mack:”Right now it’s really tough to say. You know how we have played here in the past. We rotate, and we’ve usually had a two-headed monster. Dylan Sampson was able to get in the rotation last year and really had some great success. So it really just depends on the flow of the game.”