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Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for vs. Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) 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 11
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) 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 11 /
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Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates with Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the Vols’ game against Ball State in Neyland Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Ball State Bp
Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates with Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the Vols’ game against Ball State in Neyland Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Ball State Bp /

839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running back. 2. player. Sophomore. Jaylen Wright

5’11” 205 pounds

Another player who is on here due to an offensive injury, Jaylen Wright is Tennessee football’s best option at running back right now. Jabari Small is their power back who can also be their feature back, but he got hurt on the second play from scrimmage against Akron. Although he was full-go Tuesday, that makes Wright the top back this week.

With Wright seeming to have shaken off the rust and likely slightly healthier than Small, he mainly gets the edge because of how close they now are in playmaking ability. What’s clear, though, is that the running backs in general are due for a huge day against Florida, so Wright should deliver.

Every single starting running back to face Florida so far has averaged at least five yards a carry.  Tavion Thomas of Utah had 23 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. Kavosiey Smoke of Kentucky had 14 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Brian Battie of USF had an incredible 17 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown.

As you can see, the defense has gotten progressively worse against running backs. It also doesn’t matter the style. Thomas is a power back at 6’2″ 238 pounds. Battie is a speed back at 5’8″ 165 pounds. This game is made for UT’s running backs, and Wright is in the best position to cash in.

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