New-look Jabari Small talks off-season weight gain to prep for the 2022 season

Jabari Small enters fall camp looking a little different, gaining 15 pounds throughout the offseason. According to the Tennessee roster, the running back is up to 213 pounds and is ready to be the leading rusher once again for Josh Heupel’s offense.

When asked what went into gaining the extra weight, Small said he did not make too many drastic changes but they were effective. Working with the Tennessee staff, he changed up his diet to include more protein and put in extra work in the weight room. Small put an emphasis on his upper body, wanting to get stronger up high.

“It was more so about extra work and just changing my diet,” Small said. “Lot of protein, lot of steak. Just coming in when I’m not asked to and just putting in extra work on top. Work on my shoulders. There’s a lot of extra work but the strength and conditioning staff did a great job. Took a big focus on me this offseason. It’s paid off.”

Before gaining weight for this season, Small was still one of the best running backs in the SEC in 2021. He led Tennessee with 796 yards and nine touchdowns and is projected to have even better numbers for the Volunteers this season. Adding 15 pounds to his upper body will only help Small as he tries to get through SEC defenses.

More on Jabari Small, Tennessee offseason

If last season was just a glimpse of what we’re going to get in 2022, Tennessee could possess one of the top offenses in college football. This summer, On3’s Mike Huguenin ranked the trio of Smalls, quarterback Hendon Hooker, and wide receiver Cedric Tillman seventh in the country. Alabama was the only better trio in the SEC, while the Volunteers were just one spot ahead of Ole Miss.

For a team with high expectations like Tennessee, they will be leaning on somebody like Smalls to carry them through the season. Challenges will come early and often in Knoxville, with Pittsburgh and Florida on the schedule in the opening third of the year. Add in LSU, Alabama, and Georgia and not many in the conference have a tougher schedule.

Small is going to be an important aspect of how the Volunteers perform this season. Adding the extra weight will help him on a game-to-game basis but also through a brutal schedule for Tennessee.