All for Tennessee
Fansided

Five Tennessee football players to focus on as spring practice starts

By Dean Zulkofske

Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) hands the ball off to running back Eric Gray (3) during the first half against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) hands the ball off to running back Eric Gray (3) during the first half against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 18: Detail view of footballs lined up on the field before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 18: Detail view of footballs lined up on the field before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Running Back. Sophomore. Tiyon Evans. 4. Pick Analysis. player. 839

5’10” 215 pounds; Hometown: Hartsville, S.C.

Of the new faces joining Rocky Top from the 2021 recruiting class, Junior College transfer Tiyon Evans may have the best chance at providing meaningful contribution right away. The running back position seems to be wide open at the start of spring practice, making the former four-star JuCo recruit a key name to watch.

Evans comes from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan., the same junior college former Tennessee football running back Alvin Kamara played for in 2014. While his 2020 season was pushed back to this spring due to COVID-19 concerns, Evans averaged nearly nine yards per carry and rushed for nine touchdowns over 12 games for the Blue Dragons in 2019.

UT will be without their top rushers from the 2020 season, Eric Gray and Ty Chandler, both of whom left Rocky Top via the transfer portal. Sophomore Jabari Small rushed for 117 yards on 26 carries in his Freshman season, but with a new coaching staff now taking over, who’s to say Small is the favorite to land that starting role?

The top JuCo running back in the 2021 recruiting cycle, Evans is a player with collegiate experience and a chip on his shoulder. Keep an eye on his name as spring practices begin this week, as he could easily become the top back this year.

Home/Vols Football