Dylan Sampson, De'Rail Sims' prior connection making transition easy
With Jerry Mack taking a job in the NFL, Tennessee football was forced to fill the running back coach opening heading into the 2024 season.
Ultimately, the Vols landed on former Cincinnati coach De'Rail Sims to take on the role.
When switching jobs, it can be expected that there is a period of adjustment. What's helped Sims navigate the big career change is the steadiness atop the running back room in Knoxville.
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Ahead of the season, there is a clear RB1 on the roster. Dylan Sampson returns for his junior year and first campaign as the presumed every game starter.
Sims has watched the tape on Sampson and sees the tools he can work with.
"I think you see the explosiveness jump off tape," said Sims. "I think you see the tenacity as he's attacking defenses. The willingness to put his face on people and go in and block. I think the traits that you see and what he's shown is what jumped off to me on tape."
Sampson's impact off the field may be what's most beneficial, though. He has stepped up as a leader since arriving to Tennessee. With Sims arriving to an already set room, Sampson can be a bridge between the coach and other players.
The relationship between the pair isn't new, either. Sims got to know Sampson while he recruited him to Louisville during his stop with the Cardinals.
"Sampson has been really good," said Sims. "So me and Dylan actually had a prior relationship. So I actually recruited him when I was at the University of Louisville, so we had a relationship prior. But he’s been really, really good in terms of helping this transition. He’s actually a coach on the field and a coach in the classroom, as well, so that’s been easy."
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Sampson was a three-star recruit who held offers from a multitude of schools around the country. While he didn't get paired up with Sims originally, the two are united now at Tennessee.
Behind Sampson is a young group. Cameron Seldon is projected to be the backup with Khalifa Keith, Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop also in the rotation.
Having a young group is seen as a positive by Sims, though. He sees it almost as a blank canvas to mold the players into the best athlete they can be.
"I think that’s awesome, because you get to mold them and shape them," said Sims. "I think every single day is a learning opportunity and every day is a day to get better. And I think that’s the way we approach these next, you know, with spring practice coming up. Every single day is a day for us to get 1% better. And everybody in that room is young in some form or fashion, whether that’s playing experience on the field or just getting here. And I think that situation is really good so we just got to take the bull by the horns and just go learn every single day and work."
As a whole, his first impression of the room was positive. He immediately saw the work ethic the group has and how they continuously push each other.
"Hardworking," said Sims on his first impression. "They come to work every single day and they push one another. Really good young men in the room with good character and their personalities are really good, they gel together. There’s a brotherhood in that room."
The Vols have gone through workouts but spring practice won't begin until March 18. Tennessee has some new faces on the staff and the roster and this period will be crucial as they gel together.
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