RB Room

[LittleVol]

With Wright likely to enter the draft, if Small does go into transfer portal, we really should try and grab another RB from the portal ourselves. Otherwise, we only have 5 RB on scholarship with only Sampson who has any meaningful experience.

So you GIVE them experience....

Why recruit a less talented RB just because he's more experienced?

Why do you think Small is leaving to begin with??

 

[Namorto1]

So you GIVE them experience....

Why recruit a less talented RB just because he's more experienced?

Why do you think Small is leaving to begin with??

Why would anyone assume a RB out of the portal is less talented? We are likely losing a NFL draft pick in Wright and perhaps another very experienced SEC quality back in Small and have playing time to offer. You have a shot at someone similar to a Ray Davis or Marshawn Lloyd, as examples who are proven college RBs with NFL ability (when healthy), than we should go after them. Or someone who is very talented but was buried on a depth chart, ala Alvin Kamara.

Why do you think Small may leave? I have no idea (which isn't official anyway) and no reason to speculate that the reason is he is afraid of losing time to a frosh, with virtually zero SEC experience. Small has rushed for over 2,000 yards in his career at a healthy clip of 5.1 ypc. Maybe he wants a fresh start elsewhere where he can be the # 1 dude, or maybe his hometown best friend Omari is heading to the league. Who knows? If he does elect to return to UT, I would highly doubt any frosh is going to be ahead of him in the rotation, especially if they have to help protect our 5-star QB. We lose both backs, we have room for a transfer, especially in a position group that can take a beating. Seldon may be a great athlete, but he is still very new to RB position. Others like Keith, Bishop, and Lewis, we have no idea. Maybe the coaches are good with the room as is. One injury away from having nothing but frosh in your backfield wouldn't be ideal in this league, in my opinion.

 

[MrAtkins]

Tennessee once had Travis Stephens, Travis Henry, and Jamal Lewis on the same roster. For THREE YEARS. Not to mention they had Shawn Bryson for two of those.

How times have changed.

Let’s not forget Mark Levine. Fulmer, the great big orange himself, played him ahead of Jamal Lewis due to his immense prowess at pass blocking.

 

[#1fulmerite]

Tennessee once had Travis Stephens, Travis Henry, and Jamal Lewis on the same roster. For THREE YEARS. Not to mention they had Shawn Bryson for two of those.

How times have changed.

I’m old but can remember guys like Cobb, Webb and Thompson along with William Howard and another big fullback. Then, Garner, Hayden and Mr. Take The Screen and Run It In The Rain Against Florida “in the downpour” Mose Phillips.

We’ve had some good trios in the backfield!

 

[butchna]

Let’s not forget Mark Levine. Fulmer, the great big orange himself, played him ahead of Jamal Lewis due to his immense prowess at pass blocking.

That was Cut’s call. That and the non-utilization of TEs in the offense. He eventually evolved, but that was his offense.

 

[KTrain]

I’m old but can remember guys like Cobb, Webb and Thompson along with William Howard and another big fullback. Then, Garner, Hayden and Mr. Take The Screen and Run It In The Rain Against Florida “in the downpour” Mose Phillips.

We’ve had some good trios in the backfield!

Little Man Stewart (1991-1994) a long time Pro was with some great NFL backs Aaron Hayden , maybe Jay Graham probably others in that time frame cannot remember . I know Stewart got playing time as a Freshman, 9 year pro.

 

[sami]

I think Wright has to go to the NFL if he’s projected well in the draft. The concern then is if Small spends another year in college football and transfers out and then the rumblings wrt to Sampson prove to be true. Then we’ve lost our entire, proven backfield. Maybe it’s my BVS rearing its head.

Wright and Small need to move on. Wright will never be more ready to take the next step than he is now, and we have backs coming up that we need to turn loose, which can't happen if Small stays.

Roster turnover to highly recruited kids is the natural progression of good programs. You want 4- and 5-stars coming in here knowing they will get their shot, and keeping players in their 5th and 6th years should only happen for depth purposes once a program is established, like ours is becoming.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

I’m old but can remember guys like Cobb, Webb and Thompson along with William Howard and another big fullback. Then, Garner, Hayden and Mr. Take The Screen and Run It In The Rain Against Florida “in the downpour” Mose Phillips.

We’ve had some good trios in the backfield!

Yes, William Howard, then Sam "Bam" Henderson. I remember those guys as being able to pick up 3rd and 1 vs. Bama.

 

[onthehill71]

Backs these days don’t want 15 to 20 carries if they’re smart and most are. Wear and tear on your bodies limit the years one wil play in the NFl and that ain’t many.. A beat up RB coming out of college loses money in most cases.

Absolutely, NFL counts every carry from high school on as a withdrawal from the RBs tank. Thay each have a valuation of the individuals remaining capacity...and they draft accordingly. Sad for RBs but they are viewed as a commodity.

 

[Carl Pickens]

Let’s not forget Mark Levine. Fulmer, the great big orange himself, played him ahead of Jamal Lewis due to his immense prowess at pass blocking.

And the dude only weighed around 170