Tennessee’s Peyton Lewis Poised for Breakout Sophomore Season
- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Volunteers running back Peyton Lewis is entering his sophomore season with heightened expectations following a promising freshman campaign and a strong
offseason transformation.
Last year, Lewis appeared in all 13 games, tallying 339 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries, and earning a role on special teams with seven kickoff returns for 151 yards. Despite limited touches, he showed flashes of explosiveness and reliability, especially in key matchups like the 99-yard outing against Kent State.
This offseason, Lewis took on the challenge of revamping his physique. Tennessee’s running backs coach De’Rail Sims noted, “We challenged him to grow. He changed his body… He looks like a Greek God when he walks out there on the field”—highlighting Lewis’s maturation and added explosiveness.
Media and coaches alike describe his spring practices as increasingly confident and polished. Head coach Josh Heupel praised his improved grasp of the offense, while Lewis’s own ambition to become an All-SEC back this season signals his readiness for an elevated role.
Securing more carries is not the only path forward—Lewis also worked to strengthen his pass protection, a vital attribute in Tennessee’s balanced offensive schemes.
With departing star Dylan Sampson and the return of DeSean Bishop and newcomer Star Thomas, Tennessee’s backfield is competitive. But Lewis’s gains in size, speed, and technical maturity give him a legitimate shot at emerging as a key offensive piece for the Volunteers in 2025. The stage is set for a breakout year.
