Following the exit of Tiyon Evans and a strong close to the 2021 season, the lead role in the Tennessee backfield is clear. Junior Jabari Small is the unquestioned leader of the group heading into Josh Heupel’s second year, and he’s set for an even bigger chunk of carries.
So what’s he been doing to prepare? Adding bulk. Small played at just under 200 pounds last season as a sophomore, shouldering a pretty good sized load of carries. Perhaps as a result, he was dinged up for much of the season.
According to running backs coach Jerry Mack, Small has put on some bulk ahead of the fall.