Tennessee football: Ranking position groups by 2022 spring practice play

9. Running back

Jaylen Wright had a fumble in the open scrimmage, and only Len’Neth Whitehead was able to average over five yards a carry that day. To be fair, the issues on Tennessee football’s offensive line combined with Jabari Small not playing in that game was naturally going to result in them not playing up to the standard that will be expected in the fall.

Then there are the things said in press conferences. When touting the development of the running backs in his one media session, running backs coach Jerry Mack really only talked about the growth of the guys returning. That’s par for the course with Small, Wright and Whitehead all being a year older.

Josh Heupel appeared excited by the running backs when spring ball first began, but he never specifically said anything about them over the month of practices. That can be another red flag, even if Small was limited in his reps. After all, Heupel’s offense is built on the run game.

As for young talent, Justin Williams-Thomas, a highly touted four-star, was an early enrollee. Dylan Sampson still wasn’t there. However, despite his promise, Mack could never commit to Williams-Thomas seeing the field this year, all but saying he’s behind the curve.