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Tennessee football: 10 key 2022 Vols who were three-star rated recruits or lower

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) is congratulated after scoring a touchdown at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) is congratulated after scoring a touchdown at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Sophomore. Jaylen Wright. 7. player. Scouting Report. Running back. 839. Pick Analysis

5’11” 200 pounds

Tiyon Evans’ entry into the transfer portal towards the end of Tennessee football’s 2021 season led to Jaylen Wright emerging. A three-star out of North Carolina in 2021, Wright was recruited as an all-purpose back because of his blazing speed, but there were legitimate questions about his ability to play at this level.

Well, Josh Heupel actually used him on short-yardage players a lot, and he finished the year with 85 carries for 409 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. This year, he will enter the season as the main all-purpose back expected to generate big plays.

Len’Neth Whitehead could have also been put on here. He was another three-star across the board who emerged as the Vols’ power back once Evans was gone, gaining 207 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries (6.5 yards per carry) while actually breaking off some long runs. Both other power backs, Tee Hodge and Dee Beckwith, have since transferred.

However, even after Whitehead’s emergence, Wright was used a lot more last year. The graduate of Southern High School in Durham, N.C., could turn into a more complete back, as that’s how he was used down the stretch of last year. It’ll also lead to lots more touches for him.

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