Here is our 2020 preview for Tennessee football Volunteers running backs.
While quarterbacks often steal the headline for Tennessee football, the Vols have a longstanding tradition of producing elite running backs regardless of the system. During the Phillip Fulmer years, there was a Who’s Who of running backs who became stars.
However, even through Butch Jones, the Vols produced elite backs. After all, Alvin Kamara is a superstar in the NFL right now. When Jeremy Pruitt took over in 2018, running back was one position where the cupboard wasn’t completely bare.
Entering his third season on the job, though, the position was never built the way he wants it. Pruitt prefers a four running back set with at least one all purpose back and one power back in the system at all times.
A couple of dismissals and position switches made that tough, particularly with the dismissal of Tim Jordan during this summer. Thanks to his recruiting efforts, however, he finally has a stable of backs he can use.
As we get set to preview Tennessee football’s running back situation for 2020, we’re going to break down just how we project Pruitt and Jim Chaney to use those running backs. With former UT running back Jay Graham returning to Knoxville to coach the position, there is a lot of excitement surrounding it.
We’re going to look at two projected starters, the guys likely to be the main running backs. Then we’ll analyze what we call rotational backups, or running backs who will be used on situational plays. These guys will actually see a good bit of action in specific moments, but they won’t be regular starters, so they have to get their own page.
After that, we’ll list all the other backups, including those not on scholarship, and we’ll close with three questions and a final take. So continuing with our 2020 preview, here is our look at Tennessee football running backs heading into the season.