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Former Tennessee running back Jabari Small accepts invitation to the Hula Bowl

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•01/07/24•

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Jabari Small
Credit: UT Athletic Communications

Former Tennessee tailback Jabari Small has accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl. 

Small, the 5-11, 215 pound Memphis native, rushed over 2000 yards rushing in his career, just the 19th Vol to accomplish that feat. He had four 100-yard rushing days in the orange and white including a career high 180 yards on 26 carries against Purdue in the 2021 Music City Bowl.

Small opted out of Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa officially announcing during the team’s bowl prep in Orlando that he was heading to the NFL.

In 12 games this season Small has 475 yards on 95 carries. Small ran for 734 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games last season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry on his 157 attempts while battling a nagging shoulder injury that he had repaired in the off-season.

Over his first three seasons with the Vols, he had carried 323 times for 1,643 yards and 22 touchdowns. Small’s 2,122 career yards is good for 16th all time and his 24 touchdowns ranks 12th in school history. Small had the opportunity to play one more year of college football, but chose to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.

“He’s really grown in the offense going into year three,” running backs coach Jerry Mack said. “Understanding his job, his responsibility is pretty easy now. He’s trying to be a pro and an expert and understanding how everything fits together.”

Small joins tight end Jacob Warren in the Hula Bowl. Tight end McCallan Castles has been selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game. Quarterback Joe Milton and running back Jaylen Wright have accepted an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

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