116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Tennessee’s 1,000-yard rusher won’t play against Iowa in Citrus Bowl
Jaylen Wright, who averaged 7.4 yards per carry, is going directly to the NFL draft and bypassing the Volunteers’ bowl
Dec. 15, 2023 11:50 am, Updated: Dec. 15, 2023 6:59 pm
Tennessee will be without its 1,000-yard rusher for its Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl game against Iowa.
Jaylen Wright, who led all FBS running backs in yards per carry (minimum 100 carries) with 7.39, announced Friday that he is entering the 2024 NFL draft and thus bypassing the Volunteers’ bowl game.
Wright had six 100-yard rushing games this season. He rushed for 1,013 yards and caught 22 passes for 141 yards.
Tennessee isn’t lacking for replacements, however. In fact, Wright didn’t have more than 11 carries in any of the Vols’ last six games.
Senior Jabari Small has rushed for 475 yards and 5.0 yards per carry, and sophomore Dylan Sampson has 471 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, and seven rushing touchdowns, and has 17 catches including one for a touchdown.
Daily Newsletters