Impressed with Our Running Backs: Thoughts on Depth Chart?

[25vol]

I don’t know about y’all, but I am extremely impressed with our running backs this year. Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited for our run game. I’d say since the ’15/’16 season and Wright in particular seems to be way more explosive this year.

Small and Sampson also appear to have made significant improvements. Those cuts Wright was making though—holy crap! That guy has some moves and real SEC speed.

What are your thoughts on the depth chart for RBs? Here’s my take:

1. Wright
2. Sampson
3. Small

It was a tough call for me to decide who should be in the #2 spot between Small and Sampson. Good problem to have imo.

 

[OrangeVolMan]

I think Wright will be the starter. 2nd string will be situational between Small and Sampson.

 

[livefaith]

I told my crew in the 1st half. Every RB looks stronger, quicker, and more aggressive than last year. Bodes well.

 

[VolNRaleighNC]

1-Wright

2-Sampson (needs to improve between the tackles)
3-Small (really just a short yardage back and to give the other 2 a breather)

 

[Volfan574]

Small is good but I feel more confident when Wright or Sampson are on the field.

 

[joevol33]

We're stacked, and I love it.

 

[VolDaddy61]

I told my crew in the 1st half. Every RB looks stronger, quicker, and more aggressive than last year. Bodes well.

They clearly have been putting in work.

 

[madbamahater]

Should be a run heavy offense. Especially when nothing else is working. Go to the old trusty running game to open up the passing game.

 

[Vol865]

Small is a more complete back than Sampson right now. I know he had 4 TDs but it was after the other 2 carried the load. Sampson averaged 4 YPC because he is kind of small. He is a problem in space but I think Small gets downplayed more than he should. Wright should get the bulk and Small rotate in more because they are comparable in terms of what you can ask them to do. Sampson isn't an every down back at this point IMO.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

 

[CascadeVolunteer]

It will take all 3 to have a successful season. Heck it may take Seldon showing up mid season. Injuries will happen but I agree with most on here, exciting backfield this year

 

[bpalmer28]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

Not sure if a bull dozer is what our offense needs but Jalen Wright isn’t tiny and Cam Seldon is 6’2”-220. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets more carries as the season progresses.

 

[feathersax]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

Here's your bulldozer, sparky. I'm OK with the Vol RBs.

 

[njvols]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

We got a frosh w size. Tough to get into rotation though.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

Bad take.

 

[901 Orange]

To me it doesn't matter who starts. I wanna see all 3 get 10-12 carries every game.

 

[joevol33]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

They did okay last year, and seem better this year so far.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Should be a run heavy offense. Especially when nothing else is working. Go to the old trusty running game to open up the passing game.

It is a run heavy offense.

 

[Vols410]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

 

[TNinSC]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

look for the tight ends to come in and run the ball on the short yardage plays and get the inches when needed. princeton fant was awesome at that last season. But to counter your comment, all off season all we heard was how good uva's dline was. i do think the running game is in good shape

 

[Plove23]

Who hoping to see the new comers this weekend?

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Who hoping to see the new comers this weekend?

Cam and Keith will get some work for sure. I’ll be surprised if one or both doesn’t score a touchdown.

Edit: I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but looking ahead to next year’s room, I see Wright most likely declaring for the draft, with Cam stepping into fill his role. Meanwhile Keith will take Small’s reps after he graduates.

I imagine Sampson and Cam will be 1a and 1b next year, with Keith coming in as the short yardage bruiser.

 

[sjt18]

I think there will be a slight modification of the play split. Wright appears to be the clear 1A. Sampson looks like he deserves to split the rest of the reps with Small.

 

[MemphisVol77]

Is Small still the best pass blocker? Or has Sampson improved to near the level Small & Wright?

 

[TnVol4evr]

Our running backs are child like. So small. They did well against a terrible team but what about Bama or Georgia D lines? We don't have a bull dozer.

I miss the big physical backs that I grew up watching. Those child like backs did almost put 200 yds on bammer last year though. I would love to see the norm of a 1-2 punch like a Seldon-Sampson backfield. A big back that will punish and wear down a defense and an all purpose back.