Tennessee wasn't a dominant running team last year, but they certainly weren't awful either. They improved in every rushing category over their 2017 team, but it was still their second-worst rushing output since 2012. However, there is a lot of reason for optimism about the 2019 version of the Tennessee running game, and a lot of that has to do with how much rushing production returns from that 2018 team. 86.5% of the rushing yardage, 88.8% of the carries, and 75% of the rushing touchdowns. Tennessee will need to see the offensive line improve in order to aid the running backs, but the running backs can help themselves as well. The running backs at times struggled to trust the holes to be there and got a little too skittish in the backfield, at least in part contributing to the 99 lost yards by the returning running backs.
Ty Chandler is the big name among the group, and he's certainly been the most productive of the running backs still on the roster, compiling 1,755 all-purpose yards in two seasons to go with 10 total touchdowns. Calling Chandler explosive is perhaps an understatement for a player who has a career-long run of 81 yards, a career-long reception of 42 yards, and a career-long return of 91 yards. When he gets free, he's virtually impossible to catch and stop. That is a great tool in his arsenal.
The problem is when he's not making the big plays and he slips into being at best an average running back. Part of that has been being a younger, slightly smaller back who has at times struggled to move the pile when running inside. With some upgraded blocking, this is likely to improve. Thankfully, Chandler isn't banking on that alone, making strides to catch up physically to his fellow running back Tim Jordan in adding muscle to his frame.
Chandler is going to have to be a major part of any improvement for the Vols as he is one of the few players on the roster who has displayed big-play ability. He's got that part down. Now he needs to make the mundane plays increasingly impressive down after down. Until that happens, Chandler will cease to become the clear #1 running back.
His regular contributor last year was Tim Jordan, a running back that is constructed like a cannonball: stout, hard as a rock, and difficult to stop. Jordan has been much more of the guy making the mundane between the tackles carries above average, which has kept him regularly rotating with Chandler, although his decision making when it comes to deviating from the design of the play has been iffier as well. Among the running backs, he was the leader in lost yardage.
This pair of true juniors have a combined career 405 touches, 2,565 all-purpose yards, and 13 touchdowns, so the Vols are in fairly good hands with those two, who have averaged 6.3 yards per touch combined over their two seasons with the Vols. However, few programs get by riding one or two running backs anymore, either due to injuries, typical wear and tear, or even opting to ride the hottest hand each game. More good news for the Vols here, as they have a couple other experienced options in the mix as well as a highly-touted true freshman.
Carlin Fils-aime is the old guy in the backfield as the lone scholarship senior between the quarterbacks and running backs. He's also had some success despite an almost disrespectful lack of touches considering his output. On just 52 career carries, Fils-aime has produced 309 yards, good for a 5.9 yard per carry clip, and 5 touchdowns. One arguable limitation would be a general lack of production as a receiver, producing just 18 yards on 4 receptions over the past three seasons. Although Fils-aime got work last offseason as a corner, he moved back to running back and has established that as his home as a football player, although he is also a quality special teams performer with 5 tackles on coverage units.
Jeremy Banks is the guy with some experience that arguably generates both the most excitement and most frustration. Last season, as a true freshman, Banks proved early on that he belonged on the field with his tough running style and productive short-yardage work, but as time went on he became plagued by fumbles, seeing his opportunities dry up and even some work on defense at linebacker. He finished the year with 52 carries, 185 yards, and 3 touchdowns as well as a reception for 10 yards. The biggest of the running backs, if Banks has the fumbling issues under control he will be tough to keep off the field.
From an experience standpoint, the Vols have plenty at running back. That experience comes with production too, with the foursome combining for 514 touches, 3,087 all-purpose yards, and 21 touchdowns. Limiting it to just their combined work on the ground, they have produced 433 carries for 2,003 yards and 17 touchdowns at 4.6 yards per carry. Now, that production isn't going to blow everyone away at first blush, but considering most of that occurred during two of the worst seasons in program history it is overall fairly impressive.
Newcomer Eric Gray is yet another dynamic addition to the backfield. He had over 9,000 all-purpose yards in high school and 134 total touchdowns, including one on an interception return as a freshman. Gray is quicker more than fast, although he has run an electronically-timed 4.57-forty, so he's no slouch (former Vol running back and current New Orleans Saint Alvin Kamara ran a 4.56 at the NFL Combine and his forty time would have tied for 11th at this past NFL Combine). Barton Simmons of 247Sports drew the comparison to Kareem Hunt as a player, and there are some parallels there as far as playing style, although Alvin Kamara also works as a potential comparison. One area Gray needed to improve upon once he arrived on campus was his strength as this was ultimately one of his less impressive testing results. Still, that's not hugely concerning for an all-purpose back right out of high school. With his work in the strength and conditioning program since January, he should be right in the mix for carries.
Those five make up the current scholarship options at running back, although it's possible that some players could make the move to running back depending on how things progress in fall camp. Tennessee does have four walk-ons in the mix, one of whom is an interesting newcomer and another who has been around the program for a few years and helped to fill in this spring with Fils-aime and Gray sitting out. Chip Omer is going on his fourth season around the program and was the player called upon to be the second back for the Orange team offense in the spring game. At 6-0, 202, Omer is built for the position and he was a relatively productive player in high school, averaging 7.6 yards per carry in high school and 12.9 yards per reception. Omer is a tough player, also serving as a standout linebacker in high school. A strong athlete, he also handled kickoff returns, taking two back for touchdowns. Omer isn't a player the Vols would want to rely on, but if injuries forced him into a reserve role, he would likely be capable in the role.
James Christian is roughly the same age and has spent roughly the same amount of time with the Vols, but Christian hasn't quite earned the same place in the pecking order. Christian had to wait his turn in high school, only starting as a senior. He was reasonably productive in high school despite being on the smaller side at running back, only checking in at 5-8, 180 as a senior. He's added over 25 pounds in college, and if called upon would likely be able to be somewhat productive.
Cameron Miller joined the Vols as a defensive back initially before moving to running back this summer. Miller began his career with a brief stint with Carson-Newman before making the jump to Tennessee. At CN, he was set to play linebacker, a position where he excelled in high school. He didn't play as a true freshman for CN before moving to Knoxville, and now as a redshirt freshman he'll look to find a home at running back. As for how he might perform at running back, it's difficult to gauge as I can't find any film of him on offense despite him playing it in high school.
Fred Orr is an interesting newcomer among the walk-ons. At 5-11, 195, he certainly looks the part. He was a very productive high school running back as well, finishing his high school career with over 3,500 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns and over 750 receiving yards. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 12 yards per reception as well as also showing off some strong kick return ability. He had offers from some of the service schools but a transfer from Rossview to Northeast High saw him splitting carries with Tyrique Freeman, who accepted his own scholarship offer to Air Force. Orr was a dynamic weapon in high school and the 2-star recruit may ultimately prove to develop into a quality depth piece for the Vols if he can make the most of his opportunity in Knoxville.
Up next is a look at arguably the strongest position group on the 2019 roster: the wide receivers. The Vols will need to make the most of these receivers while they still have them.
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