I like to think of myself as a decent go-to when it comes to college football questions. I’ve spent over 25 years covering the sport. However, if you’re looking for a reason why Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson isn’t a Heisman contender, I’ve unfortunately got nothing for you. But, please, keep reading.
If I had my Heisman ballot in front of me right now, as I will in late November, Sampson would be among my top three selections, which is all the Heisman Trust allows you to choose. I’m not completely sure of the other two I’d select and things could happen to change my mind, i.e. former Vol quarterback Hendon Hooker in 2022, but Sampson should be a part of the conversation right now.
I typically vote for the player that has the biggest impact on his team. Most often times that team has to be at or near a championship level. That’s my criteria, not the suggestion outlined by the Downtown Athletic Club, which just said the winner is determined on an “Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work.”
That’s pretty vague.
Sampson, like many other college football players, lives up to that billing, but even more so when it comes to my criteria. First, Tennessee is a national championship caliber team, which is the case no matter what happens in November. The Vols check off that box. Then, there’s Sampson’s value to his team. No offense to back-up DeSean Bishop, but he isn’t equipped to handle the complete load for the Vols at tailback.
Where would the Vols go without Sampson? Cameron Seldon would likely see more playing time, but he’s still transitioning from high school to college. He’s more athlete than running back as he played receiver in high school. The Vols may lean on freshman tailback Peyton Lewis one day, but that hasn’t been in the cards this season. If you’re trying to determine Sampson’s importance to the Vols, the running back rotation is proof of what Tennessee’s coaches think of him. However, he’s no where to be found in any Heisman Trophy odds. That’s befuddling.
My Heisman vote most often times goes to a quarterback because they have more to be responsible for and have one of the toughest jobs in sports. However, an exception should be given for Sampson, who has played better than quarterback Nico Iamaleava this season. Iamaleava may still be a Heisman candidate one day, but not this year.
If you pay attention to gambling odds on the Heisman Trophy, then Colorado athlete Travis Hunter, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty are the front runners. The latter is the one that is the easiest comparison to make.
Jeanty may very well win the Heisman, in part, because he’s making a serious run at Barry Sanders’ FBS record for most rushing yards in a season when he ran for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 1988. Jeanty is averaging 196 yards rushing per game this season. However, that’s not against elite defenses like Sampson faces week in and week out in the SEC.
Sampson leads the SEC, averaging 119 yards rushing per game. That’s a dozen yards per game more than Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter, who is second highest in the SEC. Jeanty’s average is 50 yards higher than Sampson. Those statistics alone probably make Jeanty a stronger candidate for the Heisman Trophy than Sampson.
I’m certainly not advocating that Sampson should win the Heisman Trophy. However, he certainly should be in the conversation. Why not? Beats me.
