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Tennessee football’s top five sophomores for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

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 /
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Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates a touchdown during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates a touchdown during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /

5'11 200 lbs. 1. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running back. Jaylen Wright

After emerging in November as Tennessee football’s all-purpose back, Jaylen Wright could take another huge step forward this year.

Related Story. Top five redshirt freshman Vols for 2022. light

If he hadn’t suffered a season-ending injury, Len’Neth Whitehead would be on this list just like Jaylen Wright. They were to make up Tennessee football’s returning three-headed monster trio of Jabari Small as the feature back, Whitehead as the power back and Wright as the all-purpose back.

As it stands, though, Whitehead is done. Now, bringing in Clemson Tigers transfer Lyn-J Dixon to replace him hurts Wright, as Dixon is an all-purpose back as well. True freshman Dylan Sampson has been making headlines in that role too. Still, Wright is the only sophomore who was a major producer for the Vols last year.

Because of that, it’s pretty obvious Wright has to top this list. An elite speedster, Wright had 85 carries for 409 yards and four touchdowns. He is poised to take a huge leap forward this year. An underrated part of his game is his power. Remember, he scored an overtime goal-line touchdown in the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers, but the refs blew it dead early.

Next. Ranking Vols' position units for 2022. dark

That horrible call, which was on fourth down and cost Tennessee football the game, shouldn’t be held against Wright. The only thing to worry about him entering this year is the fact that he’s been banged up in fall camp, but in general, all evidence points to him making a huge impact again.

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