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Tennessee football: Top 10 dark horse Vols for 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Bryson Eason (20) and Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis (66) at the Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 24, 2021.Kns Vols Spring Game
Tennessee linebacker Bryson Eason (20) and Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis (66) at the Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 24, 2021.Kns Vols Spring Game /
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Tennessee quarterback Sully McDermott (12) fakes the hand off to running back Dee Beckwith (21) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee quarterback Sully McDermott (12) fakes the hand off to running back Dee Beckwith (21) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running back. Redshirt freshman. player. Dee Beckwith. 6. 839

6’5″ 227 pounds; Hometown: Florence, Ala.

Jabari Small and Tiyon Evans are the two favorites at running back for Tennessee football this year amidst the transfers of Eric Gray and Ty Chandler to the Oklahoma Sooners and North Carolina Tar Heels respectively. Jaylen Wright is expected to be an all-purpose speed back used on specific plays, as the freshman phenom is an elite speedster.

However, Josh Heupel’s system has always worked best when he’s had one power back, and he’s got three to choose from this year on the roster: Len’Neth Whitehead, Tee Hodge and Dee Beckwith. Of those, all signs point to Beckwith being the guy.

This is Whitehead’s first time practicing in full contact since an injury sidelined him in high school and forced him to redshirt last year. He was held out of contact drills last spring. Between Beckwith and Hodge, though, Beckwith got way more action last year. Also, Beckwith and Whitehead bring the 6’5″ frame, which Hodge doesn’t have.

Simply put, Beckwith has the health, the experience and the frame. The product of Alabama’s Lauderdale County is the best positioned to become a power back, and that means that if Heupel does decide to go deep into his rotation, Beckwith could become a star. He could be the short-yardage touchdown guy.

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