Tennessee football’s offense has had its fair share of issues this season, especially in the passing game where they’ve struggled to consistently create chunk plays and move the ball through the air.
But the one constant for Tennessee’s offense has been the play of Dylan Sampson. The junior running back rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 12 games and rushed for 77 or more yards every single game.
Sampson capped off a special regular season with one of his best performances of the season, totaling 178 yards on 25 carries against Vanderbilt. Ironically, it was the first game Sampson didn’t rush for a touchdown all season but it was the most yards he’s rushed for in a game this season and the most he’s averaged per carry in a SEC game.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native’s big performance helped propel Tennessee to a 36-23 College Football Playoff clinching victory. Heupel offered plenty of praise for his star running back after the game.
“I don’t even know if I have the right words to describe D-Samp and what he means to our team, just as a player and as a leader,” Heupel said.
“But I don’t know if anybody’s played the position better than he has this year. He’s dynamic. Plays great without the ball in his hands. And talk about, when the ball is in his hands, making things happen. Dynamic plays, muddy threes and fours. He’s special, man. He’s played the position this year as well as anybody I’ve ever had.”
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Sampson etched his name into another spot into the Tennessee record books in the Vols’ win over Vanderbilt. He’s the new Tennessee single-season rushing record holder and exits the regular season with 1,485 yards this season on 256 carries. Travis Stephens’ 1,464 rushing yards in 2001 was the previous best in program history.
Tennessee’s top offensive weapon had already broken the Vols’ single-season rushing touchdown record and concludes the regular season with 22 on the season. Sampson needs just two more rushing touchdowns to tie Gene McEver’s career rushing touchdown record.
But past all the records and yards, Sampson is a strong leader and has helped set the tone for Tennessee this season. His four fumbles have been an issue but besides that he’s been incredibly consistent and has been a steady force for the Vols’ offense.
Tennessee needs more strong play from Sampson as it opens up College Football Playoff action in three weeks. Whether the Vols will be at home or on the road is currently unclear.
