Tennessee Vols' Dylan Sampson poised to leapfrog two Heisman Trophy winners in the record books on Saturday

It's been an unbelievable season for Tennessee Vols running back Dylan Sampson.  The junior ballcarrier has taken over as the main engine in the Vols' offense in 2024. Whereas Josh Heupel has spread the carries in previous years, Sampson has been far and away the featured back this year. 

And Sampson has rewarded Heupel's faith in his abilities with a standout performance this season.  On 171 carries (almost twice as much as the rest of the team's RB group), he's totaled 980 yards with 19 touchdowns.  

That last stat carried him into the Tennessee record books last weekend during the Vols' 28-18 win over Kentucky. Sampson passed Gene McEver for the most rushing touchdowns in a season in program history on a 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter where the whole team got involved in carrying him into the end zone.  However, Sampson is poised to leapfrog some very big names on the SEC single-season rushing touchdown list very shortly, including a pair of Heisman Trophy winners.  

Already at tenth on the list, Sampson trails former Auburn QB Cam Newton (20) and former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel (21) in the category with 4 games left to move up.  four touchdowns up from Sampson sits 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who has 23.  And, of course, at the top is Derrick Henry, who Sampson has been on page to reach.  

There's a very good chance that Sampson passes Newton and at least reaches Manziel on Saturday against Mississippi State.  The Vols' standout runner has been the go-to ballcarrier near the goal line and has multi-touchdown games in all but one this season.  Against a Mississippi State defense that's been a sieve for much of the year, that trend should continue.