There’s no doubt that junior running back Dylan Sampson is having a banner year so far in 2024. He was named the SEC offensive player of the week for his outstanding performance against Alabama on Saturday where he rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Through only seven games, Sampson has amassed 17 TDs, closing in on breaking the school record of 18 that was set in, get this, 1929.
In six of seven games this season, Sampson has surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark. Sampson’s greatness is aided by a strong offensive line that has been able to create those holes for the speedy running back to power through. Leading the o-line is center Cooper Mays, who had this to say about creating opportunities for the run game on this week’s Vol Report.
“I think that we just got the margins, and seams and everything are so tight in the SEC, it can always be just a couple inches that stop you from having big runs or that keep you to have small runs,” Mays said.
“The margins are super tight for failure and victory in our league,” Mays continued. “And you know, sometimes some of these runs that fans look at that are one yard are just one yard away from being huge runs. And some of these big runs may not be the best blocked runs, but it ended up just happening that way. So, I mean, you don’t really know when it’s going to happen. But every now and again, one is going to pop open for a big gain with a guy like Dylan.”
Mays has always been a big fan of Sampson since he arrived in 2022. Now in his third season with the Vols, Sampson has matured… and stepped up as a leader on the team. Mays has taken notice.
“I think he’s improved a lot and just not improved like he needed improvement… just more like grown, just getting older, finding his voice a little bit, finding his confidence more and more,” Mays observed. “I think it’s been a world of difference for him.”
But, as a running back, is it more challenging to step up in a leadership role? Is it more difficult to get your voice heard? Mays doesn’t think so.
“I don’t know if it’s much as dependent on the running back as the person,” Mays said. “Probably more, I mean, it’s difficult to be a leader in general, you know?”
Mays would know, as he himself has filled that mentor / leadership role for Tennessee over his five seasons with the team, earning many accolades along the way. What he doesn’t know is the mindset of a running back.
“If I was a running back, I’d probably be selfish, personally,” Mays admitted. “I mean, I don’t want to run the ball every play, until I was tired. I didn’t think about that part of it. Trust me, I’ve never had to worry about anything like that.”
