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The Starter: Rajion Neal
Neal is a guy you hear about during the summer workout program. Great strength, great speed, somebody that looks like an elite running back. Neal had a strong year last year and had he not been injured I feel like he would have had a 1,000 yard season.
However, the perception is something is missing. And despite that great speed, Neal has not shown the ability to hit the open field and make big plays. His longest run last year was 29 yards, and that was his only run over 20 yards last season. Neal is a solid player, and he protects the ball well. He is underrated from a pass catching standpoint and last year I really thought his pass blocking was overlooked. He did a good job of picking up blitzes last year. Overall I like his game and his ability to convert short yardage plays. Neal is going to have a good year.
The Backup: Marlin Lane
Lane really came on strong at the end of the year when Neal went down. He had 473 yards in his last six games and had a YPC of 5.6. He also has the ability to catch the ball and had 3 five catch games during the 2012 season. He has the ability to make people miss in the open field and has very good speed in the open field.
Lane is a solid, if unspectacular pass blocker, but he seems to dance just a tad too much behind the line, which won't fly with Butch Jones. The new coaching staff is worried about his fumbling, although I believe that will get fixed and won't be a problem. I thought Jim Chaney didn't get Lane enough looks in the open field last year to show off Lane's ability. If Butch Jones can get Lane in space both running and receiving, look out. Lane might have an All-SEC year in him.
Considering no injuries, I think eventually they will split carries evenly, and since Jones likes using running backs to catch the ball (Isaiah Pead had 85 catches from 2009-2011) and Jones' two main running backs had 43 catches between them in 2012, I think you'll see a lot of plays from the passing game for these guys, which will help take the pressure off the quarterback and inexperienced wide receivers. My hope is we see more big plays from the run game. Our most dangerous runner last year was a wideout. The offensive line needs to get to the second level, and the backs need to hit the open lane with urgency. Too many times both tippy-toed their way to the lane. Butch Jones won't have that.
The Freshman: Alden Hill
While Jabo Lee looks like he'll come in, it's not 100%, but Lee had great speed and I think can be a good contributor at UT eventually just not this year. Hill is the freshman we are focusing on, and after having a very solid spring, I expect playing time for him. He's a guy who will put his shoulder down and get extra yards and is always going forward. He might not have a good YPC this year, but expect a lot of short yardage conversions and also racking up some touchdowns. I would think a Jabari Davis circa 2001-2003 role for Hill this year. With inexperienced quarterbacks, Neal and Lane need to stay fresh. Hill will be important to that and will be an important figure this year.
Final Thoughts: Good talent, good experience. Bad depth. UT has four scholarship running backs on the roster at this point. Not all is dire because UT has two slot guys with running back ability in Devrin Young and Pig Howard who can help carry the load in case of emergency. However, I think the trio of Neal/Lane/Hill will hold their own. I predict either Neal or Lane gets 1,000 yards this season and the backup will get over 500 yards. With an experienced offensive line, this group of running backs doesn't have a big name, but has good talent and solid production between Neal and Lane. The grade for the 2013 Tennessee running backs heading into the year is a B.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
Neal is a guy you hear about during the summer workout program. Great strength, great speed, somebody that looks like an elite running back. Neal had a strong year last year and had he not been injured I feel like he would have had a 1,000 yard season.
However, the perception is something is missing. And despite that great speed, Neal has not shown the ability to hit the open field and make big plays. His longest run last year was 29 yards, and that was his only run over 20 yards last season. Neal is a solid player, and he protects the ball well. He is underrated from a pass catching standpoint and last year I really thought his pass blocking was overlooked. He did a good job of picking up blitzes last year. Overall I like his game and his ability to convert short yardage plays. Neal is going to have a good year.
The Backup: Marlin Lane
Lane really came on strong at the end of the year when Neal went down. He had 473 yards in his last six games and had a YPC of 5.6. He also has the ability to catch the ball and had 3 five catch games during the 2012 season. He has the ability to make people miss in the open field and has very good speed in the open field.
Lane is a solid, if unspectacular pass blocker, but he seems to dance just a tad too much behind the line, which won't fly with Butch Jones. The new coaching staff is worried about his fumbling, although I believe that will get fixed and won't be a problem. I thought Jim Chaney didn't get Lane enough looks in the open field last year to show off Lane's ability. If Butch Jones can get Lane in space both running and receiving, look out. Lane might have an All-SEC year in him.
Considering no injuries, I think eventually they will split carries evenly, and since Jones likes using running backs to catch the ball (Isaiah Pead had 85 catches from 2009-2011) and Jones' two main running backs had 43 catches between them in 2012, I think you'll see a lot of plays from the passing game for these guys, which will help take the pressure off the quarterback and inexperienced wide receivers. My hope is we see more big plays from the run game. Our most dangerous runner last year was a wideout. The offensive line needs to get to the second level, and the backs need to hit the open lane with urgency. Too many times both tippy-toed their way to the lane. Butch Jones won't have that.
The Freshman: Alden Hill
While Jabo Lee looks like he'll come in, it's not 100%, but Lee had great speed and I think can be a good contributor at UT eventually just not this year. Hill is the freshman we are focusing on, and after having a very solid spring, I expect playing time for him. He's a guy who will put his shoulder down and get extra yards and is always going forward. He might not have a good YPC this year, but expect a lot of short yardage conversions and also racking up some touchdowns. I would think a Jabari Davis circa 2001-2003 role for Hill this year. With inexperienced quarterbacks, Neal and Lane need to stay fresh. Hill will be important to that and will be an important figure this year.
Final Thoughts: Good talent, good experience. Bad depth. UT has four scholarship running backs on the roster at this point. Not all is dire because UT has two slot guys with running back ability in Devrin Young and Pig Howard who can help carry the load in case of emergency. However, I think the trio of Neal/Lane/Hill will hold their own. I predict either Neal or Lane gets 1,000 yards this season and the backup will get over 500 yards. With an experienced offensive line, this group of running backs doesn't have a big name, but has good talent and solid production between Neal and Lane. The grade for the 2013 Tennessee running backs heading into the year is a B.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
