Former Tennessee Vols star reveals his thoughts on his role in Josh Heupel's offense

Tennessee football has certainly not had any issues recently with finding a quality ballcarrier.  Quite the opposite, actually.  Over the last two seasons, the Vols have had a three-headed monster out of the backfield in Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, and Dylan Sampson. 

And Josh Heupel, to his credit, has done a good job with rotating his backs regularly and helping keep them fresh and relatively healthy.  More so than at many other schools. 

As a result, one might wonder about whether there is a level of jealousy or calls for more carries among Tennessee's running backs.  According to current Miami Dolphin Jaylen Wright, that wasn't the case - at least for him.  In fact, he says he sees the limited carries as a benefit for his pro career rather than having a problem sharing the touches. 

"“Oh yeah, for sure," Wright responded to a reporter. "You said I didn’t like sharing it at Tennessee, I enjoyed it. I like to see my other guys eat and get the ball. We’re all eating, and I feel like that’s going to be the same way here. I feel like whoever gets on the field is going to make big plays. I like it. Yes, it does keep us fresh. I feel like that’s the new (inaudible). Three backs, three great backs, I feel like that’s really good to have.”

Wright was Tennessee's leading rusher in 2022 with 875 yards on 146 carries (6.0 yards per carry).  Small received the most carries with 157, with Sampson receiving 58.  The total balanced out even more in 2023, with Wright leading the way with 137 for a 1013 yards (7.4 ypc). Sampson had 106, and Small added 95.  

Now, Wright will again work to find his way among a running back trio that's far better.  Raheem Mostert led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season and made his first Pro Bowl.  De'Von Achane had an astounding 800 yards on just 103 carries (7.8 ypc) with 8 rushing touchdowns in his injury-limited rookie season in 2023.  

As such, there's a lot of talent in the Dolphins' running back room that Achane will be working to find playing time among.  However, it's something that Wright's experience in a timeshare in Knoxville has prepared him for mentally.  And it sounds like Wright wouldn't have it any other way. 

"Both of those guys, they are really good guys, great players," Wright said. "I’m excited just to be able to share the rock with them. I’m excited to be [a part of] that trio that will be out there making a lot of plays this summer, this fall and this season. I’m just ready to go, and I’m just ready to prove to everybody that I belong here.”