There isn’t a football coach in all of college football that wouldn’t welcome back a talented player to practice following an extended injury absence. Perhaps Tennessee running back coach De’Rail Sims needed a boost more than most.

While there is still some ambiguity about just how “cleared” Cameron Seldon has been for true contact, Sims is just glad to have Seldon on the right path considering he only has one tailback that has played extensively at the college football level.

“He’s been doing good,” Sims said of Seldon’s improvement. “He’s been doing a really good job of attacking the practices. So we’ll turn him loose on Saturday and let him see what he can do.”

The Vols, like any team, have had their nicks and bruises during preseason practice. While the running back position was certainly affected, Tennessee seems to be in good shape now.

“We’re in a good spot right now heading into this opener,” Sims said, referring to the Chattanooga game on Saturday. “Feeling good about where we’re at right now and just ready to see these guys go perform on Saturday.”

The key for Seldon, at least early in the season, may be ball security. Without much contact in preseason camp, the Vols have made sure Seldon has taken his fair share of hits in ball-security drills during preseason camp. However, games are different.

Seldon could go from sideline to star quickly if he takes advantage of his opportunity. While Dylan Sampson is expected to be the Vols’ go-to tailback this season, he isn’t huge, just 5-foot-11 and 201 pounds, and Tennessee has a history of playing multiple tailbacks under head coach Josh Heupel. 

Other than Sampson and Seldon, the Vols also listed redshirt freshman DeSean Bishop, freshman Peyton Lewis and sophomore Khalifa Keith as co-starters. How will Sims manage the rotation?

“I think you plan it out by the way that they go attack the week in practice,” Sims said. “From the standpoint of the competition in the room, who understand the assignments? Then, kind of based off the flow of the game as well.

“We’ll kind of put a plan together in terms of how we rotate guys. And then, it’s also the feel of it.”

Sims said being a running back during his playing days should help him get a read on his unit during the game. Surely, situations will call for different types of tailbacks as well. From bruiser back to scatback, the Vols seem to have a full complement of tailbacks in their arsenal.

“I think that’s the best part about the room right now is that we all compliment each other, but we’re all similar in a skill set standpoint,” Sims said. “So it’s not like, when when one guy comes in that they can key on this particular skill set. I think that’s the best part about the room right now. And then at the same time, they also got different off-speed pitches that they bring to the table. So that part is good.”

The Vols’ most complete tailback longterm could be Lewis. However, competing as a freshman, especially after an offseason with a shoulder and pelvic injury, will be no easy task.

“I think Peyton has done a really good job in terms of taking the next step,” Sims said of Lewis, who was completely cleared medically before preseason practice. “I think he’s more confident right now in himself. I think he’s done a really good job of getting comfortable in the whole entire offense. So when he gets in there, you see him in practice do a lot of really good things.”

Whoever the Vols play at tailback this season, there will be one requirement. Tennessee’s tailback of choice must be good at pass protection with redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava taking over at quarterback. Lewis seems to be handling that aspect of playing tailback.

“You see him understand the protection aspect,” Sims said . “I think he’s at a point right now he’s getting more comfortable, but I think he’s going to get comfortable continuously as he gets practice throughout this season too. 

“Then he gets some game experience. I think that’s the No. 1 deal with him as his confidence is continuing to grow.”

Starter or not, there should be plenty of opportunities for the Vols’ tailbacks to grow their confidence against the Mocs on Saturday in the Vols’ season opener in Neyland Stadium at 12:45 p.m. EST.