While no coach is perfect, it’s probably time to start trusting Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s talent evaluation.
The Vols have proven adept in two positions that were disconcerting for Tennessee fans heading into the season: running back and defensive back. The Vols had to virtually replace all of their defensive backs from the 2023 season and had to replace two running backs that have moved onto the NFL: Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small.
Naysayers pointed to running back Dylan Sampson’s lack of size as a reason why he couldn’t be the primary ball carrier for the Vols. He’s listed by UT as 5-foot-11, but that’s at least two inches too generous. That lack of size hasn’t slowed him down, but that wasn’t the narrative before the season began.
Surely, Tennessee would have to turn to freshman Peyton Lewis or sophomore Cameron Seldon for some more pop. Well, as it turns out, Sampson is having one of the best seasons at running back in the history of Tennessee of football. Moreover, his backup isn’t that bad either.
There was handwringing when the notion of DeSean Bishop being the next in line at running back was brought up, even if Sampson were to become a top tier SEC tailback. Well, Bishop is averaging nearly seven yards per carry. Sampson is the leading rushing in the SEC with nearly 120 yards per game. For some necessary context, no other tailback in the SEC is averaging over 100 yards per game in the SEC and only one other running back, Kentucky’s Jamarion Wilcox, is averaging more yards per carry than Bishop, who is still technically a walk on.
Let’s just say that the running back situation has worked itself out. As for the defensive backs, they’ve been even more surprising.
Safety Will Brooks was just named the Burlsworth Walk-On of the Week. The safety from Birmingham, Ala., led all Vols with eight tackles, two of which saved touchdowns, and added one tackle for loss as the Vols beat the Crimson Tide, 24-17. The senior then iced the game with a diving interception. That wasn’t his first.
Brooks sucked the life out of North Carolina State with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Wolfpack. According to Pro Football Focus, Brooks was the highest graded defender against Alabama at 84.1.
There will certainly be questions heading into next season. Every team is different. The offensive line will have to replace one of its best leaders in center Cooper Mays. The defense will almost assuredly have to replace EDGE rusher James Pearce, Jr., who is projected to be a first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
That’s a lot to replace. However, Heupel has proven adept enough that he can be trusted to find the necessary replacements, despite what fans might think about his selections.
