Tennessee finished the year with double-digit wins for the second time in three years with a 10-3 finish to the year. A big part of the Vols' success offensively comes from running back Dylan Sampson.
He took over as the leader of the running back room after Jaylen Wright was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sampson was dominant all year long and will now have the opportunity to be drafted in the spring.
Sampson made the announcement official on Instagram, saying, “I am proud to be a part of the first recruiting class under this era. I’ve learned so much and having the chance to be a part of something special, something that was bigger than me, the opportunity to lift this program back to the place where it should be."
He finishes his three-year career at Tennessee with 2,492 total rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. Both marks lead the SEC in those categories.
He surprised many outside of Knoxville by becoming the best running back in the SEC, but running backs coach De'Rail Sims did a great job developing Sampson throughout the offseason and preparing him for the moment.
As a result, Sampson took over the Tennessee offense and allowed redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava to settle in during his first season as the Vols' starting quarterback.
There was a sliver of hope that Sampson would return for his senior season and join Nico for another run at the College Football Playoff with a revamped and improved roster, but that won't happen after Sampson's announcement on Friday morning.
His season didn't end how he was hoping by taking a trophy back to Knoxville, but it's undeniable the type of success he saw throughout the season as Tennessee's premier running back, and now he will have the opportunity to do it in the NFL next year.