Jaylen Wright & Jabari Small Could Be Top SEC Tandem
Running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small don't get enough credit for how they impacted Tennessee's 2022 offense. Though the Vols make headlines through the air, the coaching staff was quite comfortable turning around and handing the ball off to one of these two. They both are coming off of exceptional seasons, respectively. Both running backs ran for over 700 yards each and combined for 23 touchdowns.
The Tennessee Volunteers should expect some of the same this next season. But what was the key factor that made both running backs together so good for the Vols' offense? The answer is simple: the two backs are opposite playing styles, giving head coach Josh Heupel different looks when running the football. Wright is the more explosive and speedier runner of the two, with a yards-per-carry average of 6 last season.
Small most certainly looks to be the short-yardage power back who averaged 4.7 yards per carry. However, much like Wright, he still can break open for big runs. Small is also around ten pounds bigger than Wright, making him a viable power option. What also helps these two running backs heading into next season is the offensive line they are running behind. All five projected starters are seniors with lots of experience at Tennessee and even with other Power-5 schools (i.e., John Campbell at Miami).
This veteran O-line will greatly help Small and Wright make some big-time plays this fall. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel also spoke highly of the running back unit throughout the spring practices and the Volunteers' scrimmages. It is a deep room with up-and-coming talented runners like Dylan Sampson, Cam Seldon, and Khalifa Keith. Everyone is speaking about how deadly Tennessee's passing game can be this season with quarterback Joe Milton III and the stable of wide receivers he is throwing to. But the running back duo of Small and Wright seem to be another way the Vols can score in bunches this season.
Tennessee RB Jabari Small carrying the ball against Missouri in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 12, 2022. (Photo by Randy Sartin of USA Today Sports)
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