DALLAS, Texas – Tennessee is expected to be as healthy as can be in its backfield when fall camp opens up later this month. They’d better be.
Speaking at SEC Media Days in Dallas on Tuesday, UT head coach Josh Heupel shared the latest on two key Volunteers who have both been limited by injury during the offseason: Cam Seldon and Peyton Lewis.
“Both of those guys are doing extremely well,” Heupel said in Dallas during SEC Media Days. “Peyton is fully integrated into everything that we’re doing. Cam’s really close to that. He’ll have a growth progression as we get into training camp.
“Excited to have both of those guys continue along on that line and be ready for for kickoff when we get to the season.”
The duo’s return from being sidelined is highly expected and needed this season as the Vols have only one running back, junior Dylan Sampson, with extensive experience at tailback.
There is one problem. Sampson is 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds. Plus, I’d like to see that weight on an actual scale. Sampson certainly didn’t look that big last season meaning he’s either gained weight or that size may be inflated, which isn’t unusual on “official” rosters. There are serious questions about how many touches Sampson can get this season without his body giving out. That’s where Seldon and Lewis have to step in.
Lewis is 6-1 and 210 pounds. Seldon is a whopper at 6-2 and 222 pounds. If they can’t be significant contributors this season, there aren’t many options. Why? Because the transfer portal would be a horrible idea for the Vols at running back. At best, Tennessee would just be wasting a scholarship for a tackling dummy.
The Vols aren’t going to play any tailback that shows up on campus in the summer. There’s too much at stake with first-year, full-time starter quarterback Nico Iamaleava under center. Heupel can’t risk a blown pass protection by a new player. The Vols once tried to bring in a tailback late in the football calendar when Lyn-J Dixon enrolled for a few days before leaving during preseason camp in 2022. Tennessee has surely learned its lesson.
The Vols are banking that a slightly smallish tailback and two unproven running backs can lead their rushing attack. And, given the rest of the offensive firepower, I can certainly understand that. I think the Vols are right, that they have enough on the roster to be potent out of the backfield.
They’d better be.
Coverage of SEC Media Days live form Dallas, Texas is brought to you by WorkTrux and Volunteer Automotive Group.
