5 running backs in transfer portal Tennessee football should consider to replace Tiyon Evans

Tennessee needs a running back, and the transfer portal has plenty.

Unfortunately, most are not as talented as Tiyon Evans, who transferred from UT to Louisville. So the Vols can’t take just any running back and keep pace with their production in 2021, when they touted the No. 19 rushing offense in FBS.

UT has an up-tempo offense that requires multiple running backs in the rotation, which should make it an attractive destination.

Jabari Small led the Vols with 612 yards rushing on 114 carries, and he will return in 2022. But Evans, Jaylen Wright and Len’Neth Whitehead combined for 181 carries — some of which could go to a new addition next season.

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Dylan Sampson, a three-star prospect by 247Sports Composite, is committed to sign in the 2022 class and join the mix. Here are some notable running backs in the transfer portal that UT could consider in replacing Evans.

Zach Evans, TCU

Evans, a 5-foot-11, 212-pounder from Houston, was a five-star prospect and the No. 2 running back in the nation in the 2020 class. UT was among a few SEC schools he considered before signing with TCU.

If the Vols capitalize on a second shot at Evans, he could be a game-breaker in Josh Heupel’s offense. Evans will visit UT next weekend after a recent trip to Ole Miss, 247Sports reported.

In 15 games over two seasons at TCU, Evans rushed for 1,063 yards and nine TDs for a 7.3 yards-per-carry average. He also had 206 receiving yards and another TD.

Jamious Griffin, Georgia Tech

Griffin, a 5-10, 210-pounder, announced he was entering the portal on Tuesday. He was a four-star prospect out of Rome, Georgia, in the 2019 class. He showed early promise but got lost in a crowded backfield at Georgia Tech.

Griffin rushed for 125 yards in 2019 and 225 yards and two TDs in 2020. He played four games and took a redshirt year in 2021, so he has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

His brother, defensive lineman Jaylen Griffin, was UT quarterback Hendon Hooker’s teammate at Virginia Tech. They were members of the 2017 signing class for the Hokies.

Bentavious Thompson, UCF

Thompson, a 6-1, 197-pounder from Miami, played for Heupel, offensive coordinator Alex Golesh and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee at UCF. He is a speedy back who rushed for 1,136 yards and 13 TDs over three seasons, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

In 2019, Thompson had his best season with 604 yards rushing and a team-high eight TDs in a three-back rotation on Heupel’s 10-3 team. He would be familiar with Heupel’s use of running backs.

In August, UCF coach Gus Malzahn announced Thompson was no longer on the team. And he entered the transfer portal in October. UT would need to learn more about the nature of Thompson’s departure, but that would be easy for Heupel.

Sevion Morrison, Nebraska

Morrison, a 6-foot, 210-pounder from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a four-star prospect in the 2020 class. Heupel’s staff recruited him at UCF, so there’s a mutual familiarity. And Morrison grew up about 125 miles from Norman, where Heupel was an iconic quarterback who led Oklahoma to a national title.

Morrison took a redshirt in 2020 and rushed for 116 yards and three TDs in 2021. He was buried on the depth chart but could benefit from a reboot.

Marvin Scott III, Nebraska

Scott is a powerful and compact 5-9, 205-pounder and an accomplished weightlifter. He was recruited by Jeremy Pruitt’s staff at UT in the 2020 class as a three-star prospect out of Daytona Beach, Florida. 

Scott rushed for 128 yards and two TDs in nine games over two seasons. Like Scott, he was lost in Nebraska’s backfield. He entered the transfer portal after Nebraska coach Scott Frost, who preceded Heupel at UCF, announced the firing of his running backs coach in a purge of his offensive staff.

In high school, Scott’s idol was Adrian Killins, the former undersized running back who played for Heupel at UCF. Perhaps that’s a topic to get the ball rolling if the Vols seek Scott’s services.

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.