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Tennessee Football 2016 Recap: Ranking the Top 10 Vols Performers of the Season

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 63-37. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 63-37. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

He ended up taking on an even larger role than Tennessee football fans expected him to, and they already expected him to be a huge playmaker for the Vols.

As a do-it-all back, Alvin Kamara’s decision to return for his junior year was huge for the Vols, but he was not supposed to be the feature back. That title belonged to Jalen Hurd.

Then Hurd quit the team, and the pressure fell on Kamara. He handled it as well as he could have.

Kamara finished the year with 103 carries for 596 yards and nine touchdowns, and he added 40 receptions for 392 yards and four touchdowns.

So he had 988 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. Oh, and he also had 18 punt returns for 184 yards.

Kamara was a huge part of the Vols’ comeback against the Georgia Bulldogs, and he was one of the stars in helping them set offensive records against the Kentucky Wildcats and Missouri Tigers.

He added 77 total yards in the Music City Bowl rushing and passing, showing just how great of an all-around back he is.

But one of the biggest things Kamara developed this year was the ability to pass-block and that showed throughout the time he was on the field. That combined with his leadership, as he became a team captain, make him a Top 5 Tennessee football player of 2016.

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