Former Tennessee Vols standout named by scouts and coaches as one of the top 10 players in the NFL at his position

A former Tennessee Vols standout was named this week as one of the top 10 running backs in the NFL. 

ESPN spoke to various scouts, coaches, and executives to determine the top 10 current running backs in the NFL.

Former Vols running back Alvin Kamara, who is entering his ninth season in the NFL (all with the New Orleans Saints), came in at No. 10 on ESPN's list. 

Kamara was unranked in ESPN's list a year ago. 

From ESPN: A premier back in our rankings for years, Kamara fell to honorable mention last year after a few down seasons. Though some evaluators see slight decline, Kamara fought his way back to the top 10 thanks to 1,503 scrimmage yards last year. Kamara appeared on nearly 60% of the voting ballots but none in the top six.

"Some of the elite traits are still there," an NFL offensive coach said. "He didn't have much of an offensive line or supporting cast last year. But he can still take a screen for big yardage and still has great contact balance."

Kamara has eclipsed 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards in all eight seasons of his career. That's already tied for the most such seasons in NFL history, alongside Faulk.

Despite missing the final three games of last season, Kamara still accounted for 26% of New Orleans' scrimmage yards in 2024, the seventh-highest mark in the NFL.

Kamara, who played at Tennessee from 2015 to 2016, will turn 30 later this month, so he's certainly in the twilight of his career. 

The former Vol, however, showed last season that he's still an elite NFL player by setting a career high with 950 rushing yards. Additionally, Kamara's 1,493 combined rushing and receiving yards last season were his most since 2020. 

Kamara has easily been one of Tennessee's most productive NFL players this century, and he's looking to show in 2025 that he still has plenty left in the tank.