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Tennessee Football: 3 takeaways from Vols win over Ball State

By Kathryn Rose

Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball during the Vols’ game against Ball State in Neyland Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Ball State Bp
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball during the Vols’ game against Ball State in Neyland Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Ball State Bp /

Jabari Small’s extra bulk is going to pay off this season

Although Tiyon Evans was Tennessee’s lead back in the first half of last year, Jabari Small emerged as the primary back during the second half of the 2021 campaign. He was very effective as a runner, gaining 796 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Even more, he was an efficient runner, gaining 5.6 yards per carry on the ground.

During the offseason, Small hit the weight room and bulked up. Now, at 215 pounds, Small has the capability to become a bellcow running back, and that extra muscle should help him out with endurance during the season.

On Thursday night, Small had a nice game, going for 63 yards on 13 carries and adding a touchdown.

Although he didn’t even lead the team in yards gained on the ground, that bulk stood out. He was much harder to bring down than in the prior campaign and ran through arm tackles better than he did last season.

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