Tennessee RB coach De'Rail Sims: 'Dylan Sampson is the best back in the country'
Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims made it clear where he thinks Dylan Sampson’s place is as a running back in college football this season.
“I think he’s the best back in the country, in my opinion. In terms of production that he’s been able to do, especially in this league. His confidence. Number one, being able to be with him every single day, from the way he goes and attacks the process. And things he’s been able to do from tenacity standpoint. When the team needs a spark plug, he’s able to be that guy. Coach Heupel always talks about it. It only takes one match to start a fire. And a lot of times we get in critical situations and he’s the guy that jump starts the fire and gets us rolling in the right direction. In my opinion, he’s the best back in the country.”
National pundits don’t agree with Sims as Sampson was not named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award which recognizes the top back in college football. The three finalists are Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson. Sampson leads the SEC in rushing yards and attempts in 2024 and he’s the first back to do so and not be a finalist since Auburn’s Tre’ Mason in 2013.
Sampson was asked his thoughts on personal accolades earlier this week and he made it clear that individual recognition is the last thing on his mind.
“I think when it is all said and done I will look back at the season and see what I accomplish and can do better,” Sampson said. “Each game I’m just trying to do the best that I can and what ever comes with that comes with it so I can be the best for my team. We have a lot more ahead of us. I’m just worried about the next play.”
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The next play for Tennessee is Saturday afternoon in Nashville as the Vols take on Vanderbilt in what is a playoff game for the Vols. And for Tennessee to be at their best, Sampson has to lead the way. The Louisiana native has rushed for 1307 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Of his 1307 yards, 821 have come after contact according to Pro Football Focus and it’s that physical play that has been the biggest jump in Sampson’s game in 2024.
“To be honest with you, the physicality portion of it, to be able to see him go in there like, you see him now going in from a pass protection standpoint, the way he goes in there, he’s aggressive and he’s attacking. Then as many tackles as he breaks when he’s running the ball, you always knew about the explosiveness aspect of it, you always knew about him being able to make people miss,” Sims said. “But when you see him inside the line of scrimmage in a box and as many tackles as he breaks and as many yards that he’s gaining at the contact, that’s the part about his game that I was like, OK, he’s taking this thing to another level.
A level Tennessee will need Saturday if the Vols are going to take their season to another level with a berth into the College Football Playoffs.
