Josh Heupel speaks to growth of Jaylen Wright

Tennessee will have to replace starting quarterback Hendon Hooker, but the offense has the luxury of returning top running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small.

The duo rushed for 1,609 yards and 23 touchdowns last season and there’s scary news: Wright might be even better now.

“Early in his career just wanted to run around everything and just use his speed to his advantage,” coach Josh Heupel said. “That’s how he’d kind of developed as a young back in high school with some of what they did.

“He can still do all those things but he’s got really good vision. He understands blockers, he understands how to use them. He delivers double-teams to the second level. He finds space. His vision on the backdoor cuts has grown. He’s doing it at the right time. He’s playing at a really high level.”

Wright is going into his junior season and will be one of the bellcow backs that helps power the offense.

New starting quarterback Joe Milton has some experience after getting in for the injured Hooker late last season, but he’ll still probably need some time to settle in. A strong running game can afford him that.

But Wright’s growth also extends beyond just his football ability. He’s made strides in two other areas, as well.

“His body’s dramatically different,” Heupel said. “He’s one of those guys that we recognized at the start of training camp just for what he had done in the offseason, the changes that he had continued to make to his body.”

Wright has also put in time to develop mentally as a player and a leader. He’s now guiding some of the younger running backs on the roster.

Heupel praised him for his approach on that front.

“Very intentional in his work, he’s continued to grow,” the Vols head coach said. “Just being able to have a championship mindset, being able to reset from play to play, play with passion, not playing just straight out of emotion. He’s been great with the young backs. He’s been a great leader, great teacher for those guys. He’s into it when he’s not even the guy that’s getting the reps.”

Wright and the Tennessee offense will get a chance to showcase in the season opener against Virginia on Sept. 2.