Tennessee Vols fans recognized Dylan Sampson’s potential from his very first college game. The former four-star recruit made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2022, rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown in his debut. He went on to score four touchdowns in his first four games and capped off the regular season with a standout performance against Vanderbilt, racking up 131 rushing yards and another touchdown. However, during his first two seasons at Tennessee, Sampson saw limited carries while playing behind Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright. It wasn’t until 2024 that he finally became the featured running back, shattering Tennessee’s single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns.
After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft following his junior season, Sampson was asked at the NFL scouting combine how he handled his limited role early in his college career. His response is a lesson every young athlete should hear. “A lot of people coming out of high school struggle with this because we’re all ‘the guy’ in high school,” Sampson told NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers. “I believe the best things come with time. Everyone’s path is different. I was blessed to have a role my freshman year, and even though we had three running backs rotating my sophomore year, I couldn’t be mad. It’s hard enough on a coach to rotate us all. But having patience and waiting for your moment—then taking advantage of it when it comes—is key.”
In today’s college football landscape, where the NCAA transfer portal and NIL deals dominate, many players transfer if they don’t get immediate playing time. While this might seem like a quick fix, it often hinders long-term development. Every player’s journey is unique—some excel right away, while others need time to grow. But if a player has NFL-level talent, they’ll find their way there, even if it takes a breakout season after waiting in the wings. Sitting for a few years and then shining is often a better path than hopping from school to school chasing opportunities.
Sampson is the perfect example of an elite talent who waited patiently for his chance. Instead of complaining or transferring, he focused on learning from older players, improving his skills, and developing as a leader. Now, thanks to his perseverance and dedication, he’s on the brink of achieving his NFL dream.
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