Senior running back Marlin Lane has waited for three seasons for his chance to be the featured running back for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Lane, a former four-star recruit from Daytona Beach, FL, played behind Tauren Poole as a freshman. He played (mostly) behind Rajion Neal as a sophomore and junior.
Now that Neal has moved on to the NFL, the job is clearly Lane’s, right?
As Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend!!!
There’s a five-star kid by the name of Jalen Hurd, who went through spring practice with the Vols, that will be knocking at the door early and often to attempt to overtake Lane.
Fortunately for Lane he has one very important attribute on his side — his ability to be a leader.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian praised Lane’s status as a leader this off-season during an appearance on “The Sports Animal” on Friday.
"Bajakian: Marlin Lane has really stepped up in his leadership. He’s taken it to heart that he has to help the younger players."
That has to be extremely encouraging for Tennessee fans to hear.
It was only a year ago that Lane had to be reinstated to the team.
The fact that Lane has made that much progress shows just how seriously he is taking his status as the probable starting running back.
Lane showed flashes of greatness last season and in my opinion looked like the best running back on the field.
Still, there’s no doubt that the highly touted Jalen Hurd will push Lane for touches.
That kind of healthy competition breeds success and that’s exactly why I think Marlin Lane could end his career on Rocky Top in a big way in 2014.
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