Is Dylan Sampson Ready to Be a Feature Back?

Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson had a great week one game in Nashville. Can he be someone the Vols use a lot throughout the rest of the season?

Tennessee defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 49-13 on Saturday in Nashville. During the win, the Vols offense was created through their backfield. All the running backs got in on some good touches that allowed the Vols to move the ball efficiently.

One running back that found the end zone early and often was Dylan Sampson. On 13 carries for 52 yards, Sampson ran the ball in for three touchdowns and had a receiving touchdown that got the Vols on the board for the first time this season. The sophomore out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, may initially not have been expected to get as much time in the game as fellow running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. But he made the most of the time he got into the game.

At the beginning of the year, the Vols knew they had a good stable of running backs for 2023. Their depth creates a good support system for quarterback Joe Milton III and the passing attack. After Sampson's productive outing against the Cavs, what players they can go with out of the backfield becomes clearer. By no means does Sampson have to be Tennessee's No. 1 option. Wright had a 100+ yard game on Saturday, and Small got as many carries as Sampson. But, the touchdown vulture mentality became very prevalent, opening up the offensive playbook for head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols can use Sampson as a back in short-yardage, at the goal line, and catching the ball out of the backfield. He showed his versatility on Saturday, which can open a new door for Tennessee. Next Saturday's match against Austin Peay will be a good test for the Vols offense to see how much they can get out of Sampson. It will be a good tone-setter for him for the rest of the way.

Tennessee Volunteers RB Dylan Sampson diving into the end-zone for a touchdown in the win over Virginia on September 2nd, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel of USA Today Sports)

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