Jabari Small has heard all of the questions about his size and whether or not he can be an every-down tailback for Tennessee. He answered those questions by adding about 15 pounds of muscle and having a splendid preseason camp.
The Vols have limited depth at tailback. That means Small needs to continue to show off his new physique and just how durable he has become with a more muscular build. Small started 11 games last season and became Tennessee’s leading rusher with 796 yards on 141 carries.
That makes one think. What can Small run for this season? Rushing for 1,000 yards seems like a given as long as Small stays healthy, which was a problem he faced last season. The new weight should help with that.
Given the lack of depth at the position, Small’s ability and his experience, it would be difficult to find a player more important to Tennessee’s offense that isn’t named Hendon Hooker. Small is comfortable with that role, which will including pass blocking for UT’s Heisman candidate quarterback.
Small has shown the initiative to accept pass blocking as a very significant part of his role on Tennessee’s football team. Small won’t get all the carries, but it looks like he’ll get the majority of them. Credit Small for seemingly cementing his role with two weeks left before Tennessee’s season opener on Sept. 1 when the Vols host Ball State.
Small figures to be the starting tailback when the season begins. He seems to be the alpha dog (for now) among his other running back peers. There are pros and cons with Small’s ascension during preseason camp. First, Tennessee’s coaches can use more first-team snaps on Small to continue to improve. However, the Vols would have certainly liked for another tailback to step up by now. That hasn’t happened.
2 Responses
Why Mr. Hooker has a guest is the question. He dominates the “conversation,” talking about 90 percent of the time. That is not the sign of a good interviewer.
Please, call me Dave