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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols’ top five juniors of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee's 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee's 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) after running for a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) after running for a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back. Jabari Small. 839. Pick Analysis. 5'11 213 lbs. 1. player. Scouting Report

Josh Heupel’s system relies on the running back to get things going, setting Jabari Small up to shine for Tennessee football this year.

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After sitting behind Eric Gray and Ty Chandler as a freshman, only to see them transfer, and then playing second-fiddle to Tiyon Evans for the first half of last year, only to see him get hurt and then transfer, Jabari Small finally gets to be the star running back for Tennessee football. It couldn’t come at a more opportune time for him either.

The Vols have dealt with injuries and other issues all fall camp at running back. It started when Len’Neth Whitehead, their one resident power back, suffered a season-ending injury. Then they brought in Clemson Tigers transfer Lyn-J Dixon only to see him leave the program after less than three weeks with them.

Dixon wasn’t going to offset the loss of Whitehead either, as he is an all-purpose back. The only returning all-purpose back, Jaylen Wright, is banged up. That leaves true freshman Dylan Sampson as the only player who can assume that role. Justin Williams-Thomas, a true freshman feature back, is the only other running back on the roster.

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This puts a lot of expectations on Small. Last year, he had 141 carries for 796 yards and nine touchdowns while adding nine catches for 77 yards. He has added 15 pounds since then, so he can be the feature and power back. Tennessee football may need him for that, and as a result, he tops the list as their most crucial junior.

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