Everyone is well aware that Joe Milton is the most important player on the Tennessee roster. He is one of the keys to the Vols having a successful season. But the x-factors this year will be the running back duo of Jaylen Wright and Jabari Smalls.
It’s easy for UT fans to remember how Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt connected for a ton of yards last season. It was rare for the two not to create magic on the gridiron. What may have been overlooked was just how balanced Josh Heupel’s offense was a year ago.
Small led the team in rushing attempts running for 734 yards and 13 touchdowns on 157 carries. Wright ended the year rushing for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns on 146 yards. That’s about as even as you can get. In fact, Small and Wright were second and third, respectively, on the team in touchdowns behind only Hooker.
This year, their services will be even more important as Milton settles into being the starter for the Vols. While we saw a great performance from Milton in the Orange Bowl (19-of-28, 251 yards, 3 touchdowns), it’s been a long offseason. It will take a few series for him to get the spiderwebs out. Having a successful running game will allow him to do that.
In addition, the Vols will want to make opposing defenses play honest. Forcing the opposite team to worry about Small and Wright will help set up those big plays where Bazooka Joe can let the cannon loose.
If Tennessee’s rushing attack can batter opposing defenses, the Vols will have the ability to have a very special season this year.
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