Former Tennessee Vol officially reunites with teammate Hendon Hooker on the eve of training camp

The Lions worked out Small this week and liked what they saw enough to give the VFL an additional opportunity with the team in training camp. Camp began for rookies on Wednesday, July 16, with the veterans reporting on Saturday to get things going in earnest. 

Small played four seasons for Tennessee from 2020-23 and was teammates with Hooker from 2021-22.  He finished his Volunteer career with 2122 rushing yards (5.1 ypc) and 24 rushing touchdowns in 45 games during his career.  His best season came during the program's big 2022 season.  Small totaled 734 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores that year. After going undrafted, Small joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent and was added to their practice squad after roster cutdowns. He was released in May. 

The Lions' running back room is extremely talented with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery leading the way, but we'll see if Small can make any kind of impression during training camp and preseason that can create an opportunity for him - either in Detroit or elsewhere.