In my lifetime UT has been Blessed by GREAT running backs - Who is your favorite?

#301
#301
During my lifetime: Travis Stephens, 2001 he was spectacular when it was just his show. Still Vols needed Onterrio Smith that season to win it all.

Pre-birth: Coach Majors

Old School UT: Toots Douglas, All South RB at UT, played RB at 6'2", 185 in 1902; He made Ripley's national cartoon by punting the ball 109 yard in the snow and wind, 1902 SIAA championship game vs Heisman and Clemson. Thereafter, 3 season (`05,06, 07) selected 1st team All American Running back at the Naval Academy, all 27 years before UTs 1st All American was picked in 1929! Later he commanded the Saratoga during the Battle of Midway.

Personal Notable: Richmond Flowers in 1968. After getting hurt and missing the 1968 Olympics in September of that year; he came back to school and played TB at 165 pounds (in track weight) because Coach Dickey needed him for his speed. That kept him banged up most of that season while helping the Vols to the Cotton Bowl when he should have been the redshirt WB on the 1969 Vols who almost won it all.
 
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#303
#303
1) Charlie Garner
2) Jamal Lewis
3) Dylan Sampson
4) Travis Stephens
5) DeSean Bishop
 
#306
#306
Travis Henry was the RB other teams hated to play against. He ran tough inside and if he got a step, he could take it all of the way. A tough, tough guy and may not have been as flashy but he was the best one I have seen over the course of a season and career.

My favorites would be Curt Watson with Travis Stephens and Jay Graham close behind. Jamaal Lewis was good his freshman year and was on his way to being great his Soph year before the injury. Never reached his potential at UT but had the best NFL career. Johnnie Jones is a favorite, if for nothing else, the long TD run in Birmingham in 1983.

Chuck Webb may have had the most potential but the injury derailed his career and may have cost Tennessee a National Championship the year he was injured.
 
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#308
#308
My favorite has always been Travis Stephens. He was little, but so slippery. Watch the ‘98 Georgia game, the game after Jamal Lewis tore his PCL. Stephens got over 100 yards in that game, and most of the time he was dragging tacklers behind him. Then, of course, there was the 2001 Florida game. That was even more impressive. He just has so much heart.
 
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#309
#309
Backwards K said:
Travis Henry was the RB other teams hated to play against. He ran tough inside and if he got a step, he could take it all of the way. A tough, tough guy and may not have been as flashy but he was the best one I have seen over the course of a season and career.

My favorites would be Curt Watson with Travis Stephens and Jay Graham close behind. Jamaal Lewis was good his freshman year and was on his way to being great his Soph year before the injury. Never reached his potential at UT but had the best NFL career. Johnnie Jones is a favorite, if for nothing else, the long TD run in Birmingham in 1983.

Chuck Webb may have had the most potential but the injury derailed his career and may have cost Tennessee a National Championship the year he was injured.
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Charlie Garner is top 5
 
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#312
#312
UT Hill Man said:
Travis Henry (1997–2000) Henry is the program’s all-time leading rusher with 3,078 career yards. And famously, was quite the ladies man.

Dylan Sampson (2022–2024) In 2024, Sampson set new single-season program records for rushing yards (1,491) and rushing touchdowns (22), surpassing a scoring record that had stood since 1929.

Jamal Lewis (1997–1999) Lewis was a key piece of the 1998 National Championship team and an all-time NFL great. Despite shared carries, he holds the school record for career rushing average at 103 yards per game.

Arian Foster (2005–2008) Foster ranks second in all-time rushing yards (2,964) and holds the school record for career scrimmage yards with 3,706.

James "Little Man" Stewart (1991–1994) Stewart ranks third in career rushing yards (2,890) and finished his career with 35 rushing touchdowns.

Not to be forgotten are Jay Graham, Charlie Garner, Travis Stephens, and Alvin Kamara among the the list of all time greats.

It's hard for me to pick because I respected them all enormously. What do y'all think?
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How the hell do you leave the best of them all off the list? Chuck Webb is the best RB the Vols have ever had and one of the top 5 players in TN history regardless of position. He was that good.

Personally, I’d rate Charlie Garner second, Jamal Lewis third, and Travis Henry fourth.

As for Jamal Lewis, I’ll always believe he is one of the few players I’ve ever seen that could’ve made the jump from high school to pro football simply due to his speed and physical maturity at the age of 18.
 
#313
#313
My fave sure as hell isn't Jamal.......look at his last few games with UT...He runs into the line and falls down! Yes, I watched!!
Then he's busted for trafficing' Coke when he gets to the Pros = POS!
 
#315
#315
Stanley Morgan played multiple positions. Soley r/b Give the ball to Jamal!
 
#316
#316
brockytop said:
How the hell do you leave the best of them all off the list? Chuck Webb is the best RB the Vols have ever had and one of the top 5 players in TN history regardless of position. He was that good.

Personally, I’d rate Charlie Garner second, Jamal Lewis third, and Travis Henry fourth.

As for Jamal Lewis, I’ll always believe he is one of the few players I’ve ever seen that could’ve made the jump from high school to pro football simply due to his speed and physical maturity at the age of 18.
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This is more of a big picture view; Webb had one amazing season, got hurt, and was never the same in Orange again. The ones I mention are my opinion fwiw.
 
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#317
#317
utvols74 said:
vs...... Pacific of all teams. UT could have won with a cheerleader playing RB. Serious criticism at the time about playing him.
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He had gained about 80 yards on 3 carries. He would have set a ncaa rushing record against pacific if he had of played till half probably. Good grief it was the middle of the first quarter, can’t complain about him playing in my opinion. It was the opener, Webb along with coach majors and every of else in Neyland stadium was ready to watch Ground Chuck! GBO
If you’re not counting Chuck. The top 3 are.
Lewis
Henry
Garner
 
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#319
#319
Alto1 said:
Second that ^
Had a beer with him and Carl Zander after an Alabama ass kicking in 84 on the strip!
PRICELESS!!
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Johnnie Jones would have been my next name. He was a great runner, the 66 yard touchdown against Alabama still burns in my memory. It was awesome! GBO
 
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#320
#320
obviously Garner, Webb, Jamal all the best. Really Jamal lost some luster due to what was perceived as getting ready for NFL, and injury. Henry and Stephens. Majors is another.

Little Man Stewart & Montario are my all time faves. In modern era, D Samp.
 
#322
#322
Underrated because he dealt with injuries and ran behind a subpar offensive line, but…Montario Hardesty
 
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