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Tennessee football’s top 10 impact players for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Junior. Jabari Small. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running back. 4. player

5’11” 213 pounds

Yes, two running backs made the list. Jaylen Wright is the all-purpose back, but nobody can ignore Jabari Small. He is Tennessee football’s only returning feature back, and when you combine that with the fact that he added 15 pounds and Len’Neth Whitehead, their one power back, is out for the season, Small will likely have to be the short-yardage back too.

All of this suggests he’ll be a 20 to 25-carry back, at least early in the year, while Justin Williams-Thomas still develops to help out. Wright will be the all-purpose back to complement him while Dylan Sampson still develops. The question is if Small can handle so many carries.

Last year, Small emerged late as the go-to back after Tiyon Evans got hurt and then entered the transfer portal. He had 141 carries for 796 yards and nine touchdowns. With more responsibility, more experience and more strength, his role will likely increase this year.

Josh Heupel’s system is predicated on the running backs despite what his quarterbacks do. Small is the best option to make that go, and given Tennessee football’s situation at the position this year, it’s a safe bet that Small becomes one of their top producers. He’s bound to rack up tons of stats, which puts him up here.

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