KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee running back Jabari Small has declared for the NFL Draft, he announced on Friday. Small had opted out of playing in the Citrus Bowl earlier this week, as sources told WBIR.
In the 2023 season, Small had 95 carries for 475 yards and two touchdowns. Small is also ranked 16th on Tennessee's all-time list with 2,122 rushing yards in his career.
The running back room had little depth even before Small decided to opt-out, with Jaylen Wright declaring for the NFL Draft on December 15.
With Small opting out, sophomore Dylan Sampson will likely get most of the carries against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. The young standout totaled 471 rushing yards, 175 receiving, and eight total touchdowns this season.
No. 20 Tennessee will take on the No. 17 Hawkeyes on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. in Orlando, Florida.
