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

#77
#77
Unconditional Surrender said:
Lewis, Webb, Garner in that order.
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I think Lewis and Webb are 1A and 1B. Charlie Garner was special as well. Totally different type of back than Webb and Lewis. Those 2 would run over you or leave you in their dust. Jamal was probably faster but I don't recall either one getting caught from behind.
 
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#78
#78
vols40 said:
In full transparency when Chuck Webb was playing until the Alabama game he was alternating carries with Reggie Cobb. Jamals bowl game was a dud against Nebraska. Webb went for close to 3 bills in the cotton bowl against a good Arkansas team (before they were in the SEC) Chuck Webb was Jamal Lewis 10 years before Jamal Lewis. They have a lot in common in they were hurt early. Jamal didn't have the option of turning pro the year he got hurt because he was a true sophomore. Webb got hurt the 2nd game of his redshirt sophomore season at a time when the NFL draft was several more rounds.

I think it's ok to say had Webb returned to play the 1991 season he would have been a sure fire first round pick.

Glad they both wore the orange and white
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Cobb was actually getting more carries at that point
 
#79
#79
vols40 said:
I think Lewis and Webb are 1A and 1B. Charlie Garner was special as well. Totally different type of back than Webb and Lewis. Those 2 would run over you or leave you in their dust. Jamal was probably faster but I don't recall either one getting caught from behind.
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Lewis faster than Webb? No
 
#80
#80
Webb had no weaknesses*. State champion sprinter with elite elusiveness and vision to make use of it. Not especially big but capable of giving you tough yards. All one really need ponder is look how many people cite him when his entire career was less than 270 carries. Lewis was really right there. I think Garner is often underrated by some. To the OP's point we've truly had some gifted backs but many of the best, be it injury or splitting carries, never got the chance to really really pile up career numbers.

*No idea if Webb could catch because he basically was never asked to do so.
 
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#81
#81
vols40 said:
I think Lewis and Webb are 1A and 1B. Charlie Garner was special as well. Totally different type of back than Webb and Lewis. Those 2 would run over you or leave you in their dust. Jamal was probably faster but I don't recall either one getting caught from behind.
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I feel like Garner was really great behind a OL that could not run block worth poo.
 
#83
#83
hndog609 said:
Webb had no weaknesses*. State champion sprinter with elite elusiveness and vision to make use of it. Not especially big but capable of giving you tough yards. All one really need ponder is look how many people cite him when his entire career was less than 270 carries. Lewis was really right there. I think Garner is often underrated by some. To the OP's point we've truly had some gifted backs but many of the best, be it injury or splitting carries, never got the chance to really really pile up career numbers.

*No idea if Webb could catch because he basically was never asked to do so.
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Webb was built like Emmett Smith and had trackesque speed. That dude could fly. I love everyone mentioned in this thread. Long time vol fans are saddened by what might have been. The Vols were loaded in 1990 and Chuck was at the top of that list. We lost to Alabama 9-6 no way they beat us if Chuck is Healthy
 
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#89
#89
ZZ13 said:
This pretty much nails it, and in the right order.
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Oh my goodness. No Jay Graham. He has to be on the list. He had some of the greatest runs in Tennessee history. He had two big runs against Alabama and another against Ohio State. I am sure there are more, but they don’t get bigger than that.
 
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#91
#91
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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Jamal was hurt most of the 1998 season.

It was all Travis backfield
 
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#93
#93
Hubert Simpson ran all over Notre Dame one year I was at the game fan held up a white flag towards the end of the game a ND fan that is.
Jamal Lewis
I have a lot but seeing in person was funner o have seen a lot in person those two just stand out
 
#94
#94
I also saw Hershel Walker his freshman year not a Vol but I knew we were in trouble when jimmy noonan hit Hershel on the sideline and slow to get up my dad said never seen that happen to noonan.
 
#100
#100
Based on favorites:

1. Jeff Powell - put the nail in the coffin against Miami in 85

2. William Howard - Big Bruiser. It was fun to watch him run.

3. Reggie Cobb - unfortunately failed a drug test in what could have been a NC season.

4. Chuck Webb - probably the most exciting RB in Vols Football history. Unfortunately an injury ended his promising career.

5. Jamal Lewis - probably the most talented RB in Vols football history. Rare combination of speed, power, and size.
 
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