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Intriguing player enters NCAA transfer portal that could fill a need for the Tennessee Vols
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Intriguing player enters NCAA transfer portal that could fill a need for the Tennessee Vols

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Zach Ragan  |  Last updated 4/16/24

An intriguing player entered the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday morning that could help fill a need for the Tennessee Vols. 

Indiana running back Trent Howland officially entered the transfer portal on Tuesday (the first day that the spring window is open). 

Howland led the Hoosiers in rushing as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 with 354 yards on 75 carries. 

The Vols have talent at running back, but they don't have a lot of experience beyond junior Dylan Sampson, who will serve as Tennessee's primary option at the position in 2024. 

With sophomore Cam Seldon sidelined until the fall (it's unclear if he'll be 100 percent by the start of the season), it leaves the Vols with talented, albeit unproven, options in Khalifa Keith, Peyton Lewis, and DeSean Bishop. 

That trio has a combined 11 carries at the collegiate level (all of which belong to Keith). 

Howland is a big running back (6-foot-3/240 lbs) who isn't afraid of contact (he played some linebacker at Indiana in 2022). According to Pro Football Focus, Howland led Indiana's running backs in yards after contact last season (3.27 yards). 

The Illinois native, however, isn't just a bruising running back. Howland has plenty of athleticism (he was a solid high school basketball player). He can make defenders miss or he can run over them. 

If the Vols are interested in Howland, the big question will be whether or not he fits into Tennessee's culture, something that UT head coach Josh Heupel recently said will be extremely important when considering transfer portal options. 

Howland chose Indiana because of the program's message about "love and character", which seemingly suggests that he'd be a good fit in a similar culture at Tennessee. 

"The program is just great and I love the message from the coaches at Indiana about love and character," said Howland when he committed to the Hoosiers in 2020.

There's no guarantee that Tennessee will take a running back from the transfer portal. But if they decide they need to add a running back, Howland could be a great fit for the Volunteers. 

Louisville, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M are among the teams already showing interest in Howland. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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