Dylan Sampson on running back battle: 'I've been doing everything possible'

The running back competition is fierce in Tennessee. On Thursday, sophomore RB Dylan Sampson gave his thoughts on the contest.

“I just got to trust and pray that my work ethic has been what I expected and what everybody else has expected out of me,” Sampson said. “I’ve been meeting that standard and achieving that standard. I’ve been doing everything possible to come along, operate as a vet, learn and grow.”

Some outsiders might scoff at Sampson’s veteran comment. Yet, they shouldn’t. As the third-string running back last season, Sampson recorded 397 yards on 58 carries with six touchdowns, good for second among SEC freshmen in rushing scores.

With blinding speed at his disposal, Sampson’s potential is limitless. However, he isn’t the only standout in the Vols’ running back room. The team also returns Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small from last season.

In 2022, Wright was was Tennessee’s leading rusher with with 146 carries for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Small boasted 734 rushing yards and a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns. Nonetheless, Sampson claims he isn’t concerned about impressing his fellow RBs.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going on that field because of [running backs coach Jerry Mack] trusts us,” Samspon said. “He says that and I don’t ever want to ruin that trust, so I’m going to work every day for that.”

Sampson is seemingly succeeding at his goal. Mack recently praised Sampson’s offseason improvement.

“Really, it’s like night and day. From a protection standpoint, we all knew that Dylan had to come along and continue to grow just from a protection standpoint,” Mack said. “You can see now where his eyes start, from a protection standpoint, the physicality that he does step up with, the power that he steps up with. Because he’s put on some weight. All that stuff, getting thrown into the fire last year at those certain moments, helped him develop. Helped him grow.

“When you look at him, he’s probably way further ahead than any guy that we’ve had here going into year two, to be honest with you. More so than Jabari [Small], Jaylen Wright, just for the simple fact that he got a chance to probably play more snaps and a little bit more success in big moments than anything else. And I think that’s really a compliment to why you wanna get those guys as much time as possible. On the field early.”

See Sampson’s improvement on Sept. 2 when UT kicks off its 2023 campaign against the Virginia Cavaliers.