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Tennessee football’s top five sophomores for 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel with offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Dayne Davis (66) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel with offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Dayne Davis (66) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /
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Tennessee running back Jabari Small during football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice
Tennessee running back Jabari Small during football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice /

Pick Analysis. Running back. Jabari Small. 3. Scouting Report. Memphis, Tenn.. player. 839

5’11” 206 pounds

While Jalin Hyatt is on this list because of his potential and what he did last year, Jabari Small is on this list because of the attrition at running back. Tennessee football lost Eric Gray and Ty Chandler, their top two offensive producers last year, to the Oklahoma Sooners and North Carolina Tar Heels via the transfer portal respectively.

Well, Gray is a product of the private school system in Shelby County. Small could fill the void left by him. The graduate of Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., just outside of Memphis, is the one returning player who saw significant action at running back last year.

Small had 26 carries for 117 yards and caught four catches for 24 yards. He’s a true all-purpose back, which makes him a perfect fit for Josh Heupel’s offense. He could be the feature back but also a key running back on situational passing plays and maybe even on special teams.

Tiyon Evans is Small’s competition for the main running back. Jaylen Wright is his competition for the all-purpose back. Then there are power backs in Dee Beckwith, Len’Neth Whitehead and Tee Hodge. However, Small is the one with the experience and the ability to combine a lot of these assets. As a result, he’ll be a key sophomore for Rocky Top.

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