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Wasson: Tennessee star Dylan Sampson is ‘him’ no matter what Doak Walker voters think
By David Wasson
Published:
One of the buzziest buzzwords going around sports these days is “him” … as in “Ole Miss fans were hopeful all season that Jaxson Dart was him” or “Jalen Milroe used to be him for the Crimson Tide before Oklahoma’s defense stepped in.”
“Him” is trendy and cool and cringey all at the same time, especially if you’re over the age of 25. But alas, we have finally come up with a proper analogy that is actually deserving.
As far as Tennessee football is concerned, Dylan Sampson is most definitely him.
The Vols are on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff in 2024 because of Sampson, who has been doing “him” things all season without being awash with the proper levels of respect and awe. Sampson has been the one constant in Tennessee’s wishy-washy offense and is a veritable end-zone machine – but good luck finding him at the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Because for all Sampson’s him-ness, Tennessee has done a fine job of keeping the exploits mainly silent. That’s why we are here today, though, in praise of Sampson and his accomplishments that have helped Tennessee to 10-2 and sitting pretty in the Playoff picture.
Let’s start with Sampson’s 22 touchdown runs, which smashed Tennessee’s single-season record that was set by UT’s first All-American – Gene McEver – 95 years ago. Sampson is tied for 3rd in the nation this season — and tied for 5th in the SEC all-time for any season. Only probable Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty (28) from Boise State and Army’s Bryson Daily (25) have more rushing TDs this season.
Putting it in even more SEC-centric context, Sampson’s rushing TDs are the most by a conference player since Alabama’s Najee Harris had an FBS-best 26 in 2020 over 13 games.
Sampson’s 1,485 rushing yards is also a single-season Tennessee record, and it both leads the SEC and ranks 6th nationally. He also leads the SEC at 123.8 yards per game — good for 8th nationally. So good is that second number that Sampson is almost 24 yards per outing better than the 2nd-best running back in the SEC – Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter.
“It’s a great accomplishment, along with all the other things,” Sampson said of the school rushing record. “But truly a blessing. Got a lot more to accomplish, though, you know?”
Sampson is also a workhorse, as he has piled up 256 carries this season (69 more than Hunter) that ranks 5th in the country. He is the second player in Tennessee history with 9 100-yard rushing games in a single season, joining Jay Graham (11 in 1995), and is the first to score a rushing TD in 11 consecutive games.
“Nobody in the country has played that position better than him this season,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “He’s played it as well as anybody I’ve ever had.”
So what all has this superlative effort earned Sampson, you ask? Certainly not enough to make the Doak Campbell Award finalist list – whose voters tabbed Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson.
“I mean, stuff like that, you can’t let it validate you,” Sampson said. “I know what I do week in and week out on the field. Shout-out to people that they pick. I like their games, but I know what I bring to the table. And there’ll be people who recognize that.”
All 3 Doak finalists are deserving players, but none had to earn remarkably similar statistics in the nation’s toughest conference. And none had to operate as his team’s co-primary option. Tennessee freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava blossomed throughout the season – finishing with 2,512 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.
“He’s the best back in the country, in my opinion,” Vols running backs coach De’Rail Sims told reporters prior to last week’s regular-season finale against Vanderbilt. “In terms of the production, especially in this league, in this conference. … In terms of when the team needs a spark plug, he’s able to be that guy that jumpstarts it.”
Sampson isn’t done yet, of course. Armed with perhaps a smidge of extra fire due to his lack of postseason accolades, he will roll into a potential College Football Playoff game with fresh legs and more to prove. Because Sampson knows what he brings to the table, you see, and isn’t all that concerned that you might not have the proper level of respect.
Why? Because Dylan Sampson is him at Tennessee. Recognize it.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
