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Tennessee football’s top five performers through first half of season

By Dean Zulkofske

Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction
Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Gameaction /

Scouting Report. Running back. 1. player. Pick Analysis. Sophomore. Eric Gray. 839

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

Despite a fumble in Tennessee football’s 48-17 loss to the Alabama  Crimson Tide and being held to just 25 yards on the ground against the Georgia Bulldogs, Eric Gray has been UT’s best offensive weapon so far this season. The Vols will continue to need him coming off the bye.

Through five weeks of play, Gray’s 355 rushing yards lead UT’s offense and rank him No. 7 in the conference. That’s impressive knowing the backs ahead of him receive practically all of their team’s carries rather than sharing the ball like Gray does with Ty Chandler.

On another interesting note, his 123 receiving yards this season place him fourth on the team leaderboard, trailing true wide-outs Josh Palmer, Brandon Johnson, and Jalin Hyatt in that order. It’s clear that Jim Chaney wants him on the field and loves giving him the ball.

Though Gray started the first two weeks of the season with three touchdowns and hasn’t scored since, his versatility with the ball in his hands is indispensable to UT’s offensive production. It helps everything else.

The athleticism Gray has displayed out of the backfield has drawn comparisons to that of former UT running back and now New Orleans Saints’ ball-carrier, one of the highest-paid running backs in the league at that, Alvin Kamara. Those are really high expectations, but with Gray only being a sophomore, they seem warranted.

dark. Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 48-17 loss to Alabama

Gray’s top performance of the season came against the Missouri Tigers, when the sophomore compiled 118 all-purpose yards and two scores to help the Vols win 35-12. He also put together 148 total yards in Tennessee football’s loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. Gray is on pace to surpass the 453 rushing yards he earned last year and is truly showcasing his skills in his second season.

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