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Tennessee football’s 10 biggest injury concerns for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Tennessee running back Len’Neth Whitehead (27) walks back to the locker room after losing to Purdue 48-45 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 Len’Neth Whitehead (27) walks back to the locker room after losing to Purdue 48-45 at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /

Scouting Report. Running back. Sophomore. player. Pick Analysis. Len'Neth Whitehead. 6. 839

6’2″ 220 pounds

Hidden in the emergence of Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright just as Tiyon Evans transferred last year was the fact that Len’Neth Whitehead was Tennessee football’s only running back to average as many yards per carry as Evans, right at six and a half. Evans had 32 carries for 207 yards and two touchdowns on the year.

Committing to Rocky Top out of the heart of Georgia Bulldogs country, Whitehead was meant to be a power back in the old system. However, despite his tempo, Josh Heupel has use for power backs, and that meant the potential for somebody to emerge among Whitehead, Dee Beckwith and Tee Hodge.

Well, Beckwith and Hodge have since transferred out, largely due to Whitehead’s emergence. However, he has had persistent injury issues for a while now. Whitehead’s senior season at Athens Academy in Athens-Clarke County, Ga., was cut short due to a foot injury. Then he had a shoulder injury his first year at UT, needing surgery.

Last year, he spent time getting his groove back, so it took a while for him to see the field. However, Heupel needs him this year since he’s the only true power back on the roster, so his injury issues could be a problem.

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