Tennessee returned to strategy from early Josh Heupel era after losing 2024 star to the NFL, and it worked like a charm in win over Syracuse

The Tennessee Volunteers got a generational performance from running back Dylan Sampson in 2024, and it was no small part of why the program reached the College Football Playoff for the first time its history. Sampson handled the lion's share of the work, which was a departure from how Josh Heupel had handled his running back room in his first three seasons in Knoxville.

On Saturday in Tennessee's 45-26 win, Heupel returned to a usage of his running backs that's more in line with what we've seen from him - a three-headed attack. Heupel rotated his running backs regularly, with DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and Star Thomas all getting substantial work.

Thomas led all running statistically with 92 yards on 11 carries. Bishop had 82 on 12 carries with a touchdown. Lewis had 38 on 8 carries with a touchdown. As a group, the trio showed that the Vols will be just fine at the position in 2025. All three flashed impressive moments in the contest as Tennessee rolled up 247 yards on the ground.

Bishop brings an element of speed but has noticeably gotten bigger coming into the 2025 season. He flashed his speed on a 47-yard run in the first half. Lewis has the most pop of the three, and he showed it in the first half. On Tennessee's first touchdown drive he met a defender in the hole near the goal line after a missed block and just drove him into the end zone. Thomas' agility in space was impressive, as he had two spin moves to leave defenders in his wake.

After splitting carries with Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright from 2022-23, Sampson had one of the greatest years in Tennessee history last season for a running back, setting program single-season records for rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns (22), points (132), and rushing yards (1491), earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in the process. Clearly, Sampson was the most talented runner in the room by a good margin, and Heupel adjusted his typically running back usage accordingly.

But now Sampson is trying to make his impact with the Cleveland Browns, and Heupel has a trio of talented runners to help share the load in 2025. And the early returns show that philosophy should once again work well for the Vols.