Josh Heupel Talks About The Development of the RB Room for Tennessee Vols

Josh Heupel Discusses the Development of the Running Back Room for Tennessee Vols

The University of Tennessee football program has long been known for its high-powered offenses, a hallmark of the program since the days of legendary coach Phillip Fulmer. Under the guidance of head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have ushered in a new era of explosive offense, one that balances both the passing and running games to keep opponents on their toes. One area that has received considerable attention under Heupel’s tenure is the development of the running back room—a position group crucial to Tennessee’s overall offensive success.

Josh Heupel, a former quarterback with an impressive offensive pedigree, has demonstrated a keen understanding of how to maximize the potential of every position on the field. When it comes to the running back position, he has made a concerted effort to build a dynamic and versatile unit capable of both grinding out tough yards between the tackles and exploiting defenses with big-play potential. In discussing the development of Tennessee’s running back room, Heupel often emphasizes the importance of balance, skill development, and creating opportunities for players to contribute in various roles.

The Importance of Balance in Heupel’s Offense

Since arriving at Tennessee in 2021, Josh Heupel has been committed to bringing an up-tempo, pass-heavy offense to Knoxville. Known for his “fast-paced” attack, Heupel’s system demands a quick tempo, stretching defenses both horizontally and vertically. However, while the passing game often garners the most attention, the success of Heupel’s offense hinges on finding a delicate balance between the pass and the run. Heupel has been clear in his philosophy—having a strong running game is essential to maintaining that balance and avoiding one-dimensional offensive schemes.

“The running game is always going to be a key component of what we do offensively,” Heupel explained during a recent press conference. “The ability to run the ball efficiently, especially in critical moments, opens up so many other things for us. We want our running backs to be threats in the run game, but also in the passing game. It’s about making them multifaceted players who can affect the game in different ways.”

This vision has shaped how Heupel develops and utilizes running backs at Tennessee. The ability to catch passes out of the backfield, pick up blitzes, and run with power or speed allows Heupel’s backs to be more than just one-dimensional threats. This holistic approach has been key to the development of the current running back room at Tennessee.

Recruiting and Player Development: Building the Future

Heupel and his coaching staff have placed a heavy emphasis on recruiting running backs who fit the mold of versatile playmakers. While many programs have historically relied on power backs who can simply carry the ball between the tackles, Tennessee’s coaching staff is targeting athletes who bring more to the table. The goal is to recruit running backs who have not only the strength to run through defenders but also the agility and vision to read the defense and break big plays. In this regard, Heupel’s recruiting philosophy has been a major factor in shaping the running back room into one of the most promising position groups on the team.

Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class featured some highly touted running back prospects, including a couple of players who quickly earned praise for their all-around skill sets. Players like Dylan Sampson and Jabari Small, who already have some playing time under their belts, were integral to building a strong foundation for the unit. Sampson, a speedster with the ability to hit the home run, and Small, who is known for his power and vision, embody the dual-threat approach Heupel wants in his backs.

Heupel speaks often about the development of his running backs and how important it is for them to not only be effective ball carriers but also capable receivers. “In today’s game, you have to have backs that can catch passes out of the backfield,” Heupel explained. “When you have a running back that’s a weapon in the passing game, it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the defense, because they can’t just load up the box to stop the run. We’ve got to be able to mix things up.”

This mentality has seen players like Jaylen Wright, a 2022 recruit, excel in a variety of roles, from taking handoffs in power situations to lining up in the slot or out wide for quick passes. Wright, known for his combination of size and speed, has quickly become a key contributor in Heupel’s offense.

The Importance of Depth in the Running Back Room

Perhaps one of the most encouraging signs for Tennessee’s future is the depth at the running back position. Heupel has consistently talked about the value of having multiple backs capable of stepping into a game and contributing immediately. This depth helps the team stay fresh over the course of a season and allows for different running styles to be used at various points in a game.

“We’ve got some really talented guys in the room,” Heupel said. “But we need to have guys who are ready to go at all times. In this offense, injuries can happen, and you need depth to withstand the grind of a season. We have backs who can do different things, and that allows us to keep teams off balance.”

Running back by committee has become an increasingly common approach in modern football, and Tennessee is no exception. With the emergence of Dylan Sampson as a potential feature back and the versatility of players like Small, Wright, and incoming freshmen, Heupel has a wealth of talent at his disposal. The ability to rotate backs also allows for a more dynamic offensive attack, ensuring that Tennessee’s offense doesn’t become too predictable.

Building Strong Fundamentals: Developing the Total Package

While Tennessee’s running backs are known for their speed, agility, and vision, Heupel places a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of the position. In addition to refining ball-carrying techniques, Tennessee’s running backs spend considerable time focusing on pass protection, ball security, and receiving routes. A running back who can’t block effectively or catch passes out of the backfield becomes a liability in today’s fast-paced, multifaceted offenses. Heupel stresses that the development of well-rounded running backs is crucial to ensuring offensive success.

“The best running backs in the game are guys who understand the little details,” Heupel explained. “That means being able to run through traffic, make defenders miss, catch the ball out of the backfield, and, just as importantly, pick up blitzes. You have to be a complete player. That’s what we expect from our guys.”

Creating Opportunities for the Backs

Under Heupel’s offensive system, the running backs are not only involved in traditional running plays but are also critical components in the passing game. The quick tempo and wide-open offensive schemes allow running backs to find mismatches in space, particularly in the passing game. In Tennessee’s offensive scheme, it’s not uncommon to see running backs running routes like wide receivers, making them legitimate threats in both the run and pass game.

“We’ve got backs who can line up all over the place,” Heupel said. “That flexibility is something we take advantage of. We want to make sure that our running backs are involved in all facets of the game. If they’re only running the football, then we’re limiting ourselves.”

This has led to significant opportunities for backs to get involved in the passing game, particularly in screen passes, wheel routes, and even slant patterns. Heupel’s offense is designed to stretch defenses, and by incorporating the running backs into the passing game, he forces opposing defensive coordinators to account for them in multiple ways. A defense that already has to cover Tennessee’s wide receivers now also has to worry about the running backs, creating a host of mismatches and opportunities for big plays.