Tennessee has sent several playmakers to the NFL on both sides of the ball in recent years, but New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara continues to stand out among current Vols in the league.
Kamara has completed eight years in the NFL, all as the Saints' running back. Over that period, he has racked up 6,779 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns, resulting in five Pro-Bowl selections and the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He appeared and started in 14 games last year, totaling a career-high 950 rushing yards, 543 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns. While his rushing numbers aren't anything special, he has consistently been a 1,300 to 1,500-yard all-purpose star for the Saints' offense, and that is partially why he made the list of top ten NFL running backs.
ESPN released the list, but NFL executives and coaches voted to determine which players would be included. Kamara has never been ranked higher than No. 7 on the list, and last season he was listed as an honorable mention; however, he's back in the top ten this season.
"'Some of the elite traits are still there,' an NFL offensive coach said. 'He didn't have much of an offensive line or supporting cast last year. But he can still take a screen for big yardage and still has great contact balance.'
"Kamara has eclipsed 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards in all eight seasons of his career. That's already tied for the most such seasons in NFL history, alongside Faulk.
"Despite missing the final three games of last season, Kamara still accounted for 26% of New Orleans' scrimmage yards in 2024, the seventh-highest mark in the NFL."
While his rushing numbers don't immediately scream MVP, he has consistently been one of the most valuable players on the Saints' roster since 2017, and NFL executives and coaches still recognize the value he brings to the table for New Orleans.