Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson hasn’t been just great this season. He’s quickly becoming legendary.
Need proof after the Vols’ 23-17 overtime win against Florida in Neyland Stadium on Saturday? Well, here you go.
Sampson has now scored a touchdown in six consecutive games as a Vol. The last Tennessee player with a rushing touchdown in six straight games was Montario Hardesty, who did so in the opening six games of the 2009 season. Need more proof that Sampson is historically good? Read further.
Sampson, who had three touchdowns and 117 yards on 27 carries against Florida, has scored multiple rushing touchdowns in five games this season. He now has 28 rushing touchdowns, which is tied for fourth place all-time at Tennessee. He has now pulled into a tie with former Vol Stanley Morgan, who had 28 touchdowns during his playing days from 1973 to 1976.
Sampson’s 28 touchdowns is the most by a Volunteer running back in the last 30 years. Only quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who ran for 32 touchdowns from 2013 to 2016, has more during that time. With 15 rushing touchdowns in 2024, Sampson moved into sole possession of fourth place on the program’s single-season leaderboard. He passed 14 former Vols with his performance against the Gators.
Sampson’s 15 rushing touchdowns are the most in a single season by a Volunteer since 1990 when Tony Thompson had 16. The only other players with more are Reggie Cobb, who had 17 in 1987, and Gene McEver, who had 18 in 1929. Per ESPN, his 15 rushing touchdowns are the most through six games by an SEC player since Georgia RB Garrison Hearst in 1992.
That was cause for celebration when Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle tracked down Sampson after he led the Vols to victory with a rushing touchdown in overtime. Halzle wanted to do one thing, give Sampson a huge embrace. Sampson felt the love.
“It’s always great to see the passion from the coaches,” Sampson said. “I feel like sometimes they got to keep themselves so orderly and stuff, but it’s a game for us just like it is for them.
“So, I like seeing that emotion (and) passion. It ain’t perfect, but it’s worth it. You know what I’m saying? That’s how I feel. There’s a lot of things we’ve got to clean up, but him just embracing me, that just shows how proud he was of me (and) the trust he had with me. I’m glad I was able to do what I can to help us get that win whatever way possible.”
With Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggling to find his game behind an offensive line that is struggling to protect him on the perimeter, it’s scary to think where the Vols would be without Sampson, who is quickly becoming a Tennessee football legend.
