Tennessee football’s five biggest position battles for 2021 spring practice

1. Running back

Although quarterback is generating the most headlines, running back is where Tennessee football is most wide open. The Vols lost their top two backs from last year in Ty Chandler and Eric Gray, and that leaves a major void.

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Chandler transferred to the North Carolina Tar Heels, and Gray who transferred to the Oklahoma Sooners with Wanya Morris. Not only were they the top two running backs last year, but they were the top two offensive producers in general. Chandler was the top offensive producer altogether for UT in 2018, and Gray held that title this past year. Simply put, these were huge losses.

Anyway, the Vols return Jabari Small, who is an all-purpose back was the third option last year. They also have Dee Beckwith and Len’Neth Whitehead, two athletes who committed in 2020 and can play the position, and Tee Hodge is a power back in the system.

On the recruiting trail, they added Jaylen Wright, an elite speedster who will likely thrive in Josh Heupel’s system, and Tiyon Evans, a junior college transfer. Both of those guys are early enrollees and will be able to compete for playing time this spring. Given the fact that Heupel will likely want a one-two power back all-purpose back combo, the competition is wide open.

Honestly, there is no way of knowing who will become Tennessee football’s primary running backs. However, with all of them in the system and such key losses, it’s the most important position to focus on in spring ball.