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Tennessee football: Top 10 games in 2021 by Vols returning for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12 /
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Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers 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 during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

Jabari Small. 839. Pick Analysis. Running back. Purdue. 6. player. Scouting Report

26 carries, 180 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 2 yards

He emerged late in the year after Tiyon Evans got hurt and then entered the transfer portal. In terms of efficiency numbers, Jabari Small’s best performance may have been against the Kentucky Wildcats, when he had just four carries but gained 55 yards and scored a touchdown. He also had 11 carries for 73 yards and two scores against the South Alabama Jaguars.

However, Small’s best two games with Tennessee football were the final two. We already mentioned the Vanderbilt game. Well, he delivered an even better performance in the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers, even though the Vols lost.

Small scored his touchdown early to give Rocky Top a two-score lead. However, he did the bulk of his work late in the game. While Jaylen Wright shared carries with him and had 17 touches for 54 yards, Small was the one who got the big plays despite not being the all-purpose back.

When UT was down 38-31 in the fourth, Small had a 60-yard run to set up a game-tying score. He also got the opening drive of the Vols’ second half going with two carries for 24 yards to start things off. All game long, Small was the durable one, and he was a big-time playmaker, so finishing like that bodes well for the Vols entering next year.

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