KNOXVILLE – Spring football games these days in the Southeastern Conference and elsewhere are one aerial performance after another, but Jabari Small doesn’t seem to mind.
Tennessee’s sophomore running back rushed 12 times for 48 yards in the offensive eruption that was the Orange’s 42-37 victory over the White on Saturday afternoon inside Neyland Stadium. Small reached the end zone twice.
“I was just satisfied with the way we pushed the ball down the field,” the 5-foot-11, 206-pounder from Memphis said. “I feel like the pace was great, and I was proud of the whole offense. As long as we’re scoring and putting points on the board, I’m excited.”
When asked about his personal performance, Small said: “I did OK. I wish I could have broken some more runs and kept my feet moving, but it’s all a learning experience.”
Small has been praised throughout this spring by head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator Alex Golesh and position coach Jerry Mack, as well as countless teammates. He has accepted the challenge of replacing Eric Gray and Ty Chandler, last season’s leading rushers who have since transferred elsewhere, and he is loving Heupel’s system.