Freshman aren’t expected to have a major impact in college football. Tennessee is hoping running back Peyton Lewis can buck that trend.
To do so, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder will have to prove he is physically ready, which he’s done so far in fall camp after overcoming a pelvis and shoulder injury during the offseason. First-year Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims has been impressed with Lewis so far.
“No doubt about it,” said Sims, who coached at Cincinnati before being hired by the Vols. “Every single day Peyton has the next step forward, which is really, really good. He’s getting more comfortable every day in the offense. He done a really good job in terms of learning practice habits. You can tell by his demeanor in practice that he’s getting more comfortable every day.”
That could be something that opposing defenses have to cope with this season if Lewis continues to develop and can understand the Vols’ offense at a high level.
“I think when you settle down and look at Peyton, you look at, No. 1, how big he is when he puts the shoulder pads on,” Sims said. “He looks like a grown man. No. 2, you see the explosive characteristics that he has about him. He’s able to break tackles and continue to go. But then at the same time, when he’s able to get an open field, he’s the guy that taking it the distance.”
That’s all well and good. Sure, Lewis is a great talent, but the most talented tailback in the world isn’t going to play extensively this season for Tennessee if he can’t pass block. There’s a pretty big deal in the Vols’ backfield with redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava ready to take the helm as the Vols’ full-time starter. Sims doesn’t seem concerned that Lewis can protect the Vols’ most valuable asset on the field.
“He’s not scared to put his face on people in pass protection,” Sims said. “That’s the No. 1 deal that you see from a young guy. Sometimes it’s not necessarily how physical they’re going to be and understanding where to go, but he’s physical. He’ll go put his face on people. Then at the same time, he knows what to do. So he’s done a really good job from that stand.”
That should be good news for Tennessee’s fan base as the Vols search for another tailback who can lighten the load off of Dylan Sampson, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound tailback who is set to be the Vols’ first-team and featured tailback this fall. There is no question that Tennessee will need other tailbacks to take up some of the slack this season. Can a freshman be the answer? Sims seems to think so.
