The Tennessee Vols have been killing it at the next level, and with a solid NFL Draft showing, Heupel and Tennessee’s footprint on Sundays is only getting bigger. One of the most dominant players in college football at Tennessee was former SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson. In 2024, he ran for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, helping lead Tennessee to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
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That said, after his junior season, Sampson entered the draft and was selected by the Cleveland Browns with a fourth-round pick. Sampson didn’t have a great rookie year, only totaling 175 yards on the ground for a mediocre offense stuck behind Quinshon Judkins.
However, Sampson could be in for a big 2026 under former head coach Todd Monken. CBS Sports picked a breakout candidate for each AFC team, and former Tennessee Vols running back Dylan Sampson was selected for the Browns. CBS said:
"All eyes will be on Quinshon Judkins as he represents the lead back for Cleveland's running game, but don't dismiss fellow 2025 draftee Dylan Sampson. He could be a 1B in this Browns backfield, particularly on passing downs after catching 33 of his 40 targets last season for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs have been involved in the target share of Todd Monken's offenses in the past, and he'll likely utilize Sampson in this third-down/passing situation role. When Monken was the OC for Cleveland back in 2019, and Ncombined for 73 receptions, 563 receiving yards, and a touchdown on 93 targets. Judkins will certainly factor into the target share, but this is where Sampson could thrive."
Dylan Sampson listed as a breakout player
Sampson is a sneaky good buy-low candidate here, like CBS pointed out. He’s a strong pass catcher out of the backfield, and Monken has always liked involving his running backs in the quick game. Even with Derrick Henry as the clear lead back, Justice Hill still found ways to produce in Baltimore. There’s definitely a path for Sampson to carve out a role. Could this be the year he breaks out?
This is also big for the program, as Tennessee players continue to improve once they reach the next level. Josh Palmer is a good example, as he had a slow start to his NFL career but is now in his sixth season and has settled into a solid role. Cade Mays has followed a similar path, going from starting two games as a rookie to now becoming the starting center for the Detroit Lions. There is still time for Samson to find himself in the NFL, and CBS thinks it could be soon.
Zooming out, Tennessee’s success at the NFL level only strengthens what’s happening in Knoxville right now and adds even more credibility on the recruiting trail. At this point, it comes down to Josh Heupel continuing to sell that vision and making it clear to recruits that development at Tennesse is top-notch.
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