Dylan Sampson is on the verge of entering one of the SEC’s most exclusive clubs this season.
Only nine players in SEC history have posted 20 or more rushing touchdowns in a single season.
Dylan Sampson is right on the edge of becoming the 10th member of that exclusive list.
Sampson tied and broke Gene McEver’s all-time Tennessee single-season touchdown record with two scores last Saturday against Kentucky, going for his 18th and 19th rushing touchdowns against the Wildcats.
The Vols’ junior running back is now expected to become Tennessee’s first all-time member of the 20+ rushing touchdown club from the SEC.
The full list is as follows:
- Derrick Henry, Alabama – 28 in 2015
- Najee Harris, Alabama – 26 in 2020
- Tim Tebow, Florida – 23 in 2007
- Tre Mason, Auburn – 23 in 2013
- Leonard Fournette, LSU – 22 in 2015
- Trent Richardson, Alabama – 21 in 2011
- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M – 21 in 2012
- Cam Newton, Auburn – 20 in 2010
- Alex Collins, Arkansas – 20 in 2015
- Dylan Sampson*, Tennessee – 19 in 2024
Tennessee star Dylan Sampson is about to join the SEC’s exclusive, single-season 20-rushing TD club. Sampson already has 19, a Tennessee single-season record. pic.twitter.com/FogvOU4Wsw
— Saturday Down South (@SatDownSouth) November 5, 2024
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Dylan Sampson has been a true game-changing running back for Tennessee this season as he leads the SEC in rushing yards (980) and rushing touchdowns (19). Sampson also leads the SEC in total all-purpose yards as he propels Tennessee’s offense to the best rushing attack in the conference at 234.5 rushing yards per game.
While Tennessee’s passing game has looked sluggish at times in conference play this season, Sampson’s ground game has continued to be a vital element of Josh Heupel’s offense.
The Louisiana native has scored at least one touchdown in all eight games this season and has 100+ yards in each game but one (recorded 92 in a win over Oklahoma).
Sampson scored four touchdowns against NC State, three touchdowns against Chattanooga and Florida, two touchdowns against Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, and NC State, and one touchdown against Oklahoma.
No. 7 Tennessee and Dylan Sampson will host SEC foe Mississippi State at 7:00 p.m. ET this Saturday night in Knoxville. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for live, on-site coverage of the game from Neyland Stadium as Sampson looks to enter the SEC’s 20+ touchdown club.
