Jeremy Banks, 6-2, 215 - The new staff at Tennessee favors bigger backs, and they had to find a couple to add to the roster. Well, mission accomplished, and the first bigger body they added to the mix was Jeremy Banks, a load of an in-state back who saw interest in him build throughout his senior campaign. His senior season was pretty special, with 198 carries for 1,941 yards and 32 touchdowns, but he hadn't been a slouch before that, with 141 carries for 832 yards with 16 touchdowns. He's capable of catching the ball out of the backfield, but he didn't get a ton of targets in high school with 5 receptions for 60 yards. Banks plays angry, both as a blocker and a runner. Odds are some of his longer runs won't translate to the next level as his speed, while good, isn't exactly blazing. He is able to make quick moves to avoid tackles, but odds are he'll have to improve in that area to make the same kind of maneuvers in the SEC. He seems capable of contributing as a true freshman, and he'll be given that opportunity.
Ty Chandler, 5-11, 202 - Chandler was among the top backs in the 2017 class, and although he didn't quite set the world on fire as a freshman, he did account for over 800 all-purpose yards between his play on offense and on special teams. Chandler had 305 rushing yards, 108 receiving yards, and 416 kickoff return yards with two rushing touchdowns and a return touchdown on his 98 touches last season. With John Kelly's 227 offensive touches off for the NFL and Carlin Fils-aime's 33 touches heading to the defensive side of the ball, Chandler is one of the most proven options on the roster, and he did nothing to suggest he won't get his share of the touches during the spring game when he turned his 11 carries into 53 yards and a touchdown and at least one reception for five yards. In the end, the biggest potential issues for Chandler as size and physicality. He has a willingness to try on the tough runs, but he hasn't yet shown the strength to break through tackles or move a pile. That is one of the main reasons he may lose some red zone carries, but he's certainly willing to take on those tough runs if given the chance.
Trey Coleman, 5-11, 220 - Trey Coleman was added to bring a power element to the previous staff's offense, and he's certainly capable of adding that element to the mix. That said, it's worth wondering if his future might hold a move to fullback as he continues to grow. He was one of the odd men out last season, getting only four carries and a reception on the season, all in the same game. With the fullback reappearing in the Vols offensive plans for the first time in a decade in the spring game, Coleman could be in line for such a move in the future. Probably not this season though as numbers are tight at running back and Austin Pope seems to have established himself in the role during spring football. Coleman is a powerful runner and doesn't shy away from contact. However, he lacks breakaway speed, so he's best utilized between the tackles. He's a solid receiver and capable runner, and with added bulk he could be effective at fullback as a blocker, runner, and receiver. His opportunities may be limited this season.
Princeton Fant, 6-3, 222 - Fant was one of the more unexpected position changes of the spring, moving from tight end to running back to linebacker and finally back to running back. Last year, he moved from wide receiver to tight end. His athleticism has remained unquestioned, but determining the best way to utilize it has been the question. Although his spring game outing wasn't one that would set the world on fire, he did have a solid spring overall, showing decent vision and good power as a runner. He's raw, however, which is understandable considering the position changes. I don't think it's likely he'll see many touches this season if any, but down the line he could prove to be a productive option out of the backfield as both a runner and receiver. With Fant, it's just a matter of being patient and learning the job.
Tim Jordan, 5-11, 205 - If anyone came out of the spring poised to share carries with Chandler, it's definitely Jordan. In fact, he did more with fewer carries this spring. He's very similar to John Kelly, although he's a bit taller and probably has more room to grow. Jordan isn't a burner, but he has sufficient speed to make defenses pay if he's given a crease, as evidenced by a 29 yard run in the spring game. Jordan, like Chandler, isn't necessarily the ideal back in the mind of the new staff, but production matters most in the end, and he produced in the Orange and White game with 57 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. This is building on a freshman campaign in which he turned 11 carries into 52 yards, 8 receptions into 65 yards, and 3 kickoff returns into 55 yards, maximizing his limited opportunities behind Kelly, Chandler, and Fils-aime. With Fils-aime at corner now and Kelly moving on to the LA Rams, Jordan will have to hold off a couple of summer newcomers but has given himself a shot to increase his opportunities this fall.
Madre London, 6-1, 221 - London is the big back the staff was looking for, and they're hoping that he can be everything they're looking for this season when it comes to immediate impact. He's a graduate transfer from Michigan State, where he churned out 924 yards on 230 carries, finding the end zone 8 times in three seasons. He also caught 13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Although his yards per touch average isn't anything too special (4.2), he's a fairly effective between the tackles runner with some speed and evasiveness limitations. He has been through some meaningful competition, so even if he isn't a starter at Tennessee he should be an effective reserve in his one season with the Vols. London doesn't do a good job of avoiding tacklers, but he can break arm tackles and keeps his legs moving, allowing him to occasionally push the pile. He is another player who seems likely to find some sort of role in the rotation at running back, and he's no doubt coming in with his eye on winning a starting job. Best case is that London serves as the Bo Scarborough to Chandler's Damien Harris as the Vols' running game works toward emulating the effective one in Tuscaloosa.
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