All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Top 10 breakout Vols from 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running back. player. Sophomore. Jabari Small. 3. 839

5’11” 206 pounds

Ty Chandler and Eric Gray transferring at the beginning of the year meant it was obvious Tennessee football would have new breakout running backs. The stable was still deep, which is why Tee Hodge had to transfer. Freshman Jaylen Wright, junior college transfer Tiyon Evans and returning third-string back from 2020 Jabari Small would all compete for the main role.

Beyond these guys, Dee Beckwith and Len’Neth Whitehead would compete for the power back role in Josh Heupel’s system. Whitehead won it, which is why Beckwith transferred, but his production wasn’t enough to make this list as a running back. It was for Small, though.

Early in the year, Evans was the star back, and he did finish with the best yards per carry average at 6.4, gaining 521 yards and scoring six touchdowns on 81 carries while catching four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. However, Evans’ production dipped late in the year due to injury, and Small emerged as an elite back, which is why Evans has now transferred.

For the year, Small had 140 carries for 791 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, and nine touchdowns. He also had nine catches for 77 yards. Gaining 868 yards from scrimmage is a huge leap from his 141 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns in 2020. As a result, Small was the breakout star for Tennessee football at running back, and he belongs here.

Home/Vols Football