Projecting Tennessee football’s 2020 depth chart
Running back
1. Ty Chandler; Senior
For the past two years, Ty Chandler has been Tennessee football’s top rusher. Last season, the 5’11” 201-pound Nashville product took a slight step back, but he still had 655 yards rushing and three touchdowns while averaging just under five yards a carry.
Over the past two years, Chandler has 1,285 yards rushing, 246 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns. He has averaged five yards a carry for his career. As a veteran who understands blocking schemes, Chandler could be a star this year with a much-improved offensive line.
2. Eric Gray; Sophomore
Many people would list Eric Gray as the starting running back. The 5’10” 195-pound Memphis native burst onto the scene late in the year, rushing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the season finale against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Gray then had 86 yards and the game-winning touchdown while also recovering the onside kick in the Vols’ 23-22 comeback win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the Gator Bowl. Since he has emerged, he is a rising star. However, Chandler is the more proven veteran over a period of time.
3. Carlin Fils-Aime; Redshirt senior
Last year, Carlin Fils-Aime took a redshirt. Although Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney would like a power back here, Fils-Aime is a veteran in this system as well. With Tim Jordan dismissed, he will be the other fundamentals back to complement Gray and Chandler, and he has proven his value in that role in the past, so watch out for what he does.