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What Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson said while declaring for the NFL Draft

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•about 22 hours•

GrantRamey

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Football | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
(Randy Sartin-Imagn Images) Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee junior running back Dylan Sampson announced his declaration for the NFL Draft on Instagram on Friday morning, posting a statement addressing his family, coaches and fans.

Here’s what Sampson said in the post:

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for this amazing journey he has put me through. My main purpose in life is to honor and glorify God with the talents that I have been given. I plan to use the gift of football and this platform that I have been given as long as God allows me to. 

“I’m thankful for my family who has sacrificed and supported me unconditionally the whole way. Thank you to the ones who couldn’t be here with us today; I carry you with me.

“To Coach Heupel, Coach Mack, Coach Walt, Coach Sims and all the staff, thanks for giving this kid from Louisiana the opportunity of a lifetime. I am proud to be a part of the first recruiting class under this era. I’ve learned so much and having the chance to be a part of something special, something that was bigger than me, the opportunity to lift this program back to the place where it should be. I am forever grateful.

“Thank you to all my teammates I built bonds with over these years. It’s a lifetime of memories that I will cherish forever.

“Vol Nation, your support has been nothing short of amazing. Knoxville has become my home and has made me a better human being over the years. I’m going to miss the feeling of rolling up to Vol Walk, running through the ’T,’ and hearing the Pride of the Southland Band play ‘Rocky Top.’ I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.

“Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no else even cared.” -Tupac Shakur 

Sampson this season set new Tennessee program records for single-season rushing yards with 1,491 yards and touchdowns, with 22. He ran for a season-high 178 rushing yards in the win at Vanderbilt on November 30, ran for 100 or more yards in 10 of 13 games this season and ran for 130 or more yards six times.

Travis Stephens held the previous rushing yards record with 1,464 in 2001 and Gene McEver held the previous touchdown record with 19.

Sampson in three seasons ran 422 times for 2,492 yards and 35 touchdowns in 35 career games. He caught 40 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown, giving him 2,834 yards from scrimmage and 36 total touchdowns.

Sampson averaged 5.9 yards per carry, 71.2 yards per game and 8.6 yards per reception. 

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