Josh Heupel provided updates on the injury progress of Tennessee running backs Cam Seldon and Peyton Lewis.
The depth at this position has been a concern for the team after losing Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright to the professional ranks.
This departure leaves Dylan Sampson as the primary, experienced running back, with a significant gap in depth behind him.
Sampson is expected to lead the running back unit and receive the majority of the carries.
However, Heupel’s staff has a history of rotating players frequently, as seen with last year’s trio of Small, Wright, and Sampson. This year, the rotation might look different due to the lack of experienced players.
The next in line for carries are Cam Seldon and likely Peyton Lewis, with Khalifa Keith and Desean Bishop also in the mix.
Both Seldon and Lewis have been dealing with injuries during the offseason, leaving their return dates somewhat uncertain.
This period is especially critical for Lewis, a true freshman, as he needs to acclimate to the team’s playstyle and routines during the upcoming camp.
“Both of those guys are doing extremely well,” Heupel said during SEC Media Days in Dallas. “Peyton is fully integrated into everything that we’re doing. Cam’s really close to that.
He’ll have a growth progression as we get into training camp, but excited to have both of those guys continue along that line and be ready for kickoff when we get to the season.”
Peyton Lewis, a four-star recruit from Salem, Virginia, ranked within the top 200 of the 2024 recruiting cycle.
Due to a high school injury, he missed spring practices but is expected to participate in the fall camp. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound freshman will wear No. 22 and is seen as a valuable addition to the team.
Cam Seldon, who suffered a shoulder injury during spring camp, has been on the recovery path since March.
Heupel’s comments suggest that while Seldon is close to returning, he is not quite ready to fully participate.
Seldon, a former four-star athlete, did not play much last season but is expected to compete for the RB2 position this year.
Despite the need for additional depth, Tennessee chose not to use the transfer portal after spring practice.
This decision indicates a level of confidence in Seldon’s return in time for the season. However, his progress and readiness will be closely monitored in the upcoming weeks.
In summary, the Tennessee running back situation remains a work in progress with Dylan Sampson leading the charge.
The team awaits the return of Cam Seldon and Peyton Lewis from injuries, with both players showing promising signs of recovery.
The coaching staff’s decision to forgo the transfer portal reflects their optimism about Seldon’s timely return. The upcoming training camp will be crucial for integrating these players and ensuring they are ready for the season.
Leave a Reply