Report: Running back Lyn-J Dixon no longer with Tennessee program

Tennessee was expected to get a boost at running back through Lyn-J Dixon. Coming via the transfer portal and West Virginia, head coach Josh Heupel welcomed Dixon into the program. However, after a few practices and an ankle injury, Dixon is no longer with the Volunteers per a report.

According to VolQuest, Dixon has left the Tennessee program, lasting less than three weeks. Dixon was on his third college football program of his career, also playing for Clemson. His next move is not yet known.

Four scholarship running backs are now on the Tennessee roster heading into the year. Jabari Small is considered the starter after a successful offseason but behind him are two true freshmen. Dixon was originally supposed to add experience to the depth chart. Now, the Volunteers will have to roll with what they got.

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During his career at Clemson, Dixon ran for 1,420 yards and 13 touchdowns in 41 games for Dabo Swinney’s group. He never played for West Virginia, only spending a few months in Morgantown before re-entering the portal.

Josh Heupel explains why Tennessee added Lyn-J Dixon

Before Dixon left the program, Heupel explained why Tennessee added the running back to their roster. He credited a season-ending injury to Len’Neth Whitehead, making it a position of need for the Volunteers. At the time, Heupel said everything was moving quickly for Dixon early in fall camp.

“With Len’Neth being out for the season because of the injury, I felt like it was important that we continue to try to look for and add another body in that room if there was one available that fit what we were going to need,” Heupel said. “Since he’s gotten in, he’s in a race to understand and learn what we’re doing as fast as we possibly can. He’s been able to flash in some of our situational stuff that we’ve done.

“For him to go out and operate and function in everything that we’re doing right now, he’s probably not at that point. But I’ve been really pleased with the effort that he’s put into it. He’s competed in a really good way out there on the practice field and in the stadium. Looking forward to his progression on the back half of training camp as we push [toward] game week.”