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Tennessee football’s 15 safest starting spots on 2022 roster in fall camp

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
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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 /

13. player. 839. Scouting Report. Junior. Jabari Small. Pick Analysis. Running back

5’11” 213 pounds

He probably would have been higher on this list, but Tennessee football adding Lyn-J Dixon late changes everything. Dixon has four years of experience as an all-purpose back. Jaylen Wright has returned as an all-purpose back. Justin Williams-Thomas is a four-star across the board expected to see action at feature back, just like Small.

Still, you can’t ignore Small as the returning leading rusher. He split time with Tiyon Evans last year, and once Evans got hurt and eventually transferred out, he became the clear-cut No. 1 back. That’s a role he’s not going to let go of this year given his experience and proven production.

Small had 141 carries for 796 yards, averaging over five and a half yards a carry, and nine touchdowns. He also had nine catches for 77 yards. After waiting behind Eric Gray and Ty Chandler in 2020, he was able to become a breakout returning player for the Vols last year.

Although Dixon does provide more competition, he only arrives amidst the season-ending injury to Len’Neth Whitehead, leaving Tennessee football without a power back. As a result, Small could actually see a larger role since he and Williams-Thomas are the only two backs who lean in a more physical direction. Simply put, he’s a safe starter.

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