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Tennessee Vols: 5 Players That Could Derail UT’s Season If They Are Lost

By Zach Ragan

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 02: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with players during the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at EverBank Field on January 2, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 45-28. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

John Kelly — Running Back (Junior)

Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara had very different exits from Tennessee, but regardless of how they left, there’s still a big void in offensive production from last season that must be filled.

And that void will be filled by junior running back John Kelly, who will be a bell cow running back for Tennessee in 2017.

The Vols have talent at the running back position outside of Kelly, but it’s mostly young and unproven.

Guys like Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan will see plenty of playing time in 2017, but there’s no doubt it will be Kelly who shoulders the rushing load.

With a new starting quarterback taking center stage for the Vols this season, they’ll need to have a steady/reliable running game.

Kelly, who averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season (on 98 attempts), provides the steadiness the Volunteers will need.

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