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The much-hyped two-man backfield in Knoxville may be dying just as it began to flourish.
According to multiple media reports, redshirt sophomore Alvin Kamara is among three members of the Tennessee Volunteers that submitted paperwork to the NFL draft advisory committee:
- CB Cameron Sutton
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- RB Alvin Kamara
The paperwork does not mean that these three players definitely will forego their remaining college eligibility, only that they’re seeking more information about where they’d be selected should they enter the draft.
Kamara, the one-time Alabama running back who transferred to a junior college before eventually resurfacing at UT, has played just one season of FBS ball.
Billed as a very strong second option to Jalen Hurd in the backfield, Kamara was efficient during the regular season at 6.7 yards per carry. He also caught 31 passes. But he’s carried the ball just 96 times to Hurd’s 253, which is a bigger split than many expected.
If Kamara stays into 2016, he likely will continue to play second fiddle to Hurd out of the backfield, and running backs have a limited professional shelf life. Still, it’s unclear if Kamara would be a high draft choice, and Tennessee certainly wants him back.
Sutton is another interesting prospect, as his draft stock plummeted this season. Once projected as a potential first-round pick, he wasn’t listed among the top 10 cornerbacks in the upcoming draft in Mel Kiper’s latest position rankings. If Sutton isn’t at least a second-day pick, it seems prudent for him to return for his senior season.
Reeves-Maybin leads UT with 99 tackles this season in addition to recording five sacks and forcing three fumbles. At just 6-foot and 225 pounds, the former safety turned linebacker will be looking for a specific scheme fit in the NFL. He likely won’t be able to play linebacker in a 3-4 defense, which limits his options and may lead him to return to Knoxville in 2016.
Tennessee’s prospects for next season seem high, but it would be a bit of a blow if any of these players left early for the NFL.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
