Tennessee fans, players and coaches have long been waiting for the 2024 season as the Vols try to grow into a championship program. Perhaps no one is more anxious to get things going than running back Dylan Sampson, who has some doubters to prove wrong.

“It’s everything,” Tennessee center Cooper Mays said of Sampson’s coming opportunity this season as a full-time starter. “Considering what what we do and the amount of work we put in and everything, all the preparation that we have, coach (Josh Heupel) always talks about preparation meeting opportunity. Well, we’ve already done the preparation for months. So here’s the opportunity.”

Sampson, suddenly a junior, has played extensively at Tennessee. He’s rushed for 1,001 yards on 164 carries with 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6.1-yards per carry. The Baton Rouge, La., native also has 20 career catches for 199 yards and a receiving touchdown. Sampson has played in 22 games, started one and has rushed for over 100 yards in three different contests. So, why are some doubting what Sampson can do?

Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, Sampson isn’t very big, just 5-foot-11 and 201 pounds, per UT’s listing. Second, Sampson has had some issues with pass protection that have limited his opportunities. If those issues continue, it won’t be from lack of knowledge. Mays said Sampson had a solid grip on pass protection as a freshman.

“He knew all the signals already and knew what I was calling,” Mays said, referring to when Sampson showed up on campus in 2022. “So for somebody that’s a freshman that just got there to know all that stuff and kind of be clued in, it’s pretty crazy and shows what kind of person-slash-player you are.”

With the mental side of pass protection in line, Sampson should be able to rely on his physical ability to protect redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. There has never been a question that Sampson is physically able, which is evident by his production to this point in is career. 

“So when you put two things together like that, you know it’s going to be good,” Mays said. 

Sampson may have known all of Tennessee’s pass protection calls as a freshman, but his body probably wasn’t ready to absorb oncoming blitzers when he first arrived on campus. After all, Sampson was just 5-9 and 180 pounds when he signed with the Vols. Mays, who was deemed too small to play in the SEC by some when he came out of high school, can empathize.

“I’m fully aware of how it feels to be undersized and too small to probably do your job at the best level you could,” Mays said. “So it’s kind of a race from the time you step on campus to the time you leave to just get as strong and as physically big and beefed up as possible.”

Tennessee fans should expect a different type of featured tailback this season. The Vols relied on Jaylen Wright last season, who was more of a power back than Sampson, who can be utilized on the perimeter and in the passing game more easily than most tailbacks.

“They’re different backs,” Mays said. “…For him (Sampson) to be the featured back, a guy that can mix it up and kind of do everything out of the backfield, in the passing game, making really good cuts and having great vision in the run game. When you put all that stuff together, it makes for a really good back.”

While running back isn’t often considered a position in which leadership is expected, Sampson has some of that. He’s not afraid to do some chirping, which can only amp up his teammates.

“He’s more of a talker than probably the average guy,” Mays said. “He’s always has juice and and is always ready to go. He’s always quick to speak up if he feels like he sees something or needs to say something. So that’s something. He’s grown a lot in this past year.”

Sampson, whose biggest influence was aptly Reggie Bush, doesn’t fit the mold of just another tailback.

“He’s a really intelligent kid,” Mays said. “…So he probably has a lot more confidence than some guys at the running back position, just a super, super intelligent guy with with great people skills. So if you mix all that together, it works out well.”

As long as pass protection is a part of the mix.