Dylan Sampson making the case for increased workload in Vols’ backfield
Running back Dylan Samson scored four touchdowns in the season-opening win over Virginia in Nashville. Fast forward two weeks later in a game at The Swamp that kicked of Southeastern Conference play, the sophomore failed to log an offensive snap in a loss to the Gators.
What gives?
“I wasn’t frustrated. I understood the situation and how the game went,” the Baton Rouge, La. native told reporters when asked about his absence in the gameplan last week. “It’s just my competitive spirit. We are deep in the running back room.”
That’s the right answer. It’s the classy answer and one that shows maturity, according to quarterback Joe Milton.
“He’s probably only 19 or something – just being mature for his age,” the veteran said of Sampson. “He’s the type of guy who can give energy no matter what day it is or how young he is. He’s part of the leadership council, so that shows the maturity in him and what his family did for him to help him grow up into a man early.”
11 carries
139 yds
2 TDs pic.twitter.com/bqeuTJkSSi
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 23, 2023
Mature or not, you know that hurt. It was assumed that Sampson was going to make the most of his next opportunity. On Saturday, he was the second tailback to enter the ballgame in the 45-14 victory over UTSA – a game where Sampson went on to register a career-best 139 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns. The sophomore once again let his presence be known.
“My mindset is everything,” Sampson said. “I don’t know how many touches I’m going to get, but I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to help this team. My mindset is to always make the some I can with my touches.”
There’s no greater example of that than on Tennessee’s final touchdown scoring drive of the ballgame in the fourth quarter of a blowout win over the roadrunners. The Vols accumulated 70 yards on just two plays as Sampson rushed for 29 and 41 yards, respectively, to quickly reach the end zone.
“I don’t want to be tackled and not by the first person or second person,” the speedster explained. “I want to score. Sometimes that might be my fault, because I have to understand that every play is not a home run play, but it’s just the eagerness to get the ball when they call the play that I know can hit.”
Another one for 6⃣
SEC Network
https://t.co/xfbHLlg7fZ pic.twitter.com/kIZF6sLms7
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 23, 2023
Both those plays hit in a big way for the Vols as Sampson was like a shot out of a cannon. His other touchdown run came back in the first quarter when he scooted in from the 10-yard line to hand the Vols a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the contest. The sophomore also caught a pass out of the backfield for 20 yards in the game and has shown the ability to be a good receiver when needed on swing and flat patterns.
“Dylan has been the same guy on the practice field and he’s been good leader in the locker room,” coach Josh Heupel said postgame Saturday night. “Competitive and willing to do whatever to help the team. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s done a good job of reading it and delivering blocks. [He] made the back-door cut tonight as flow over the top happens. [He’s] been really efficient in what he’s done, so we’re going to need him as we continue to go, too.”
Tennessee has three running backs it can count on game in and game out this season. Though he’s the youngest, Sampson is positioning himself to steal more and more of the workload moving forward.
He’s earned that.
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