Will Eric Gray become complementary running back to Ty Chandler for Tennessee football?

This is Part VI of a nine-part series examining the outlook for Tennessee at each position in advance of spring practice, which begins March 7. Today, we preview running backs.

Tennessee had the fewest number of rushing plays generate at least 10 yards of any SEC team last season. The Vols also ranked last in the conference in yards per rushing attempt.

Part of that falls on the shoulders of the offensive line. But it’s a two-way street that doesn’t entirely excuse the running backs.

On the bright side for Tennessee, Ty Chandler undeniably has playmaker ability, and the Vols upgraded the position via recruiting.

Returning starters (1)

Ty Chandler

Other returners (4)

Jeremy Banks, Princeton Fant, Carlin Fils-aime, Tim Jordan

Newcomers (1)

Eric Gray

Outlook

Chandler and Tim Jordan return as Tennessee’s leading rushers from a year ago. Chandler’s biggest task will be to stay healthy. He missed all of one game and most of two others last season.

Chandler offers a dimension not found in abundance within Tennessee’s offense in that he provides some home-run potential. If you need a reminder, watch the highlight of Chandler’s 81-yard touchdown run against UTEP last season, when he took a pitch off tackle for a touchdown. He slipped through a crease and outran everyone. No one touched him on his way to the end zone.

Chandler isn’t a big, bruising back, but he needs to get as many touches as his body can handle. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry en route to a 630-yard season, and he added 9.6 yards per catch on his 19 receptions.

Jordan had a breakout game in the season opener, posting 118 yards against West Virginia, but he never surpassed 65 yards in any game after that. Jordan runs with energy, but he needs to do a better job finding the hole and bursting through it.

One prediction

Chandler will catch more passes than he did last season.

The Vols need to incorporate Chandler however they can, and targeting him with screens and swing passes is an avenue to do that. It also helps protect an offensive line that has been shaky in pass protection the past two seasons.

Former running back John Kelly caught 37 passes two years ago to aid what was an otherwise stagnant offense. There’s no reason Tennessee shouldn’t count on Chandler for 30-plus receptions.

One to watch

Landing four-star prospect Eric Gray was one of the bigger developments for Tennessee during the December signing period. It was good for optics, given that Gray is a three-time Mr. Football from Memphis.

But it matters beyond that. Gray becomes a potential long-term cornerstone around which the offense can build. The hype for Gray grew after his wicked spin move during an All-American Bowl practice became a trending topic.

Gray is an early enrollee who should contend for a spot in Tennessee’s top-three rotation of running backs.

Biggest question

Who will be the complementary back to Chandler?

If Chandler stays healthy, the junior could be poised for a big season. But in today’s football, you can’t go it alone as a running back.

Certainly Jordan will be the top candidate to share the carries, but he’s not a lock for that spot, especially not if Gray quickly lives up to the recruiting hype. Jeremy Banks profiled as a potential power back as a freshman, but he also had a double case of fumble-itis and penalty-itis, and he briefly moved to linebacker. Coach Jeremy Pruitt said he’s unsure where he’ll use Banks this season.

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