The original concept of spread offenses was to spread defenses out to run the ball into wider gaps.
It developed new and inventive ways to throw the football over the years, and the evolution of football in that same timeframe has placed more and more emphasis on the passing game. But that’s not the root of Tennessee’s spread offense, not in 2024. The Volunteers’ attack is planted in the ground game with running back Dylan Sampson.
“He's a smart runner,” Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon said on Tuesday. “He's patient, but he's got a good feel for his blocks.