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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch for against Alabama

By Dean Zulkofske

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Oct 10, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Eric Gray (3) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Eric Gray (3) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Gray. 3. player. Scouting Report. 839. Pick Analysis. Running back. Sophomore

5’10” 205 pounds; Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.

What can we say about the year Eric Gray is having that hasn’t already been said? The native Tennessean is as dynamic as they come and one of the young players that Tennessee football fans look forward to watching each week. This weekend against the Alabama Crimson Tide should be no different.

Against a Kentucky Wildcats defense that had only given up 250 rushing yards through three weeks, Gray emerged as the lead rusher for the Vols with 128 yards on 24 attempts. He ran for 101 yards in the first half alone, including nine straight rushes to set up fellow running back Ty Chandler for the Vols’ only touchdown of the game.

Gray also showed off some of the versatility that caught the eye of many fans and analysts, catching three passes for 20 yards. Because of the fog that envelopes UT’s quarterback position, don’t be surprised if he and Chandler are asked to take the brunt of the touches against Alabama.

In fact, the Crimson Tide’s run defense is ranked 36th in the nation, allowing an average 149.3 yards per game. That’s just one spot behind Tennessee. If the Vols come out with a win on Saturday afternoon it’ll be largely in part due to the effort of Gray.

It goes without saying that UT’s backfield will have to produce more than 150 rushing yards to have a chance against the Tide. No matter how the coaching staff gets him the ball, expect Gray to be the back Pruitt and staff turn to this week.

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