Cam Seldon explains how special teams experience prepared him for increased role on offense

Every bowl season there are stories that stand out, players that make a major contribution seemingly out of nowhere. But for Tennessee running back Cam Seldon, his big day in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa wasn’t an accident.

Seldon had worked his way up to it by being a big-time contributor on special teams for the Volunteers.

“One hundred percent. It helped me because it helped me gain confidence,” Seldon said. “It helped me get used to how the game feels, the crowd. Just everything, so when I went out there today I just felt like I’d already been there before.”

It showed.

Seldon wasted little time in topping his previous season-high of six carries, racking up 13 carries for 55 yards in the contest. He helped pace the offense on the ground, while the Volunteers slowly built a 35-0 lead over the Hawkeyes.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava vultured some of the touchdowns on the ground, but he certainly didn’t take away from Seldon’s big day.

“I felt like I did what was required. I feel like I could do more,” Cam Seldon said. “It was just really my first time going into the game, so I had to get used to that, get used to the flow, get in my groove, really. But for the most part I can do more. I hold myself to a high standard. But overall I had a good performance. It could be better, though.”

Seldon played behind the likes of tailbacks Jaylen Wright, Dylan Sampson and Jabari Small for most of the 2023 season, but he should begin to see more opportunities next fall.

His work on special teams has helped prepare him. Now hard work will have to do the rest.

And make no mistake about it, the expectations for Seldon are high.

Prior to enrolling at Tennessee, Cam Seldon was a four-star prospect and the No. 141 overall recruit in the nation in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He was ranked as the No. 4 athlete in the class.

From here, it’s just a matter of continuing to work hard. Seldon’s put himself in great position to be a major factor in 2024.

“My mindset never really changed,” Seldon said. “I just kept working, same practice habits, same habits. I just kept being me, and I knew it would pay off.”