Tennessee JUCO RB Alvin Kamara Earning Right to Remove Stripes with Vols
Written by Ryan Wright
The scary entity that is Tennessee football in 2015 is adding even more momentum in the realm of folklore before becoming a reality on Sept. 5. Over the weekend, the now powerhouse backfield head coach Butch Jones has at his disposal is growing in size and reputation after junior college running back transfer Alvin Kamara was the first newcomer to have the black stripe removed from his helmet.
Competition is what makes sports great and the ability to add a competitive spirit among the players pushing one another to a higher standard is for the betterment of said team. At Tennessee the newcomers are put through a worthwhile hazing forced to earn their spot among the existing team members by their progress on the gridiron. Players have to earn helmets, jerseys, and the right to have a black stripe taken off their helmet that signifies a new person fighting for the right to be a Volunteer football player.
The hype around 5-star running back recruit Alvin Kamara has been building since his junior season at Norcross when he rushed for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a senior he became one of the best backs in the nation rushing for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns leading the Blue Devils to the Georgia Class 6-A championship game. Out of high school Kamara signed with Alabama but a knee injury kept him off the field throughout his freshman season. After two suspensions by head coach Nick Saban were handed out, a parting of ways with the Crimson Tide took place.
Hutchinson Community College in Kansas welcomed the talented but oft troubled back seeing the 5’11”, 210 pound, redshirt freshman rush for 1,253 yards in nine games with 18 touchdowns. All that talent is now in Knoxville paired with Volunteer freshman sensation Jalen Hurd giving SEC East foes cause for concern.
Jones spoke with the media regarding Kamara’s quick acceptance by his teammates voting the black stripe off stating, “It’s not the big brothers anymore. It’s the position group – the power of the position – and yes, Alvin Kamara was the first one to have his stripe removed.”
Tennessee now has a great one-two punch with Hurd and Kamara. Hurd led the Vols in rushing last year picking up 899 yards on the ground off 190 carries with five touchdowns. Hurd’s durability and strength to bounce off defenders is expected to improve after the 6-foot 3-inch power back went from a listed 227 pounds last season to 240 over the offseason.
In a recent interview Hurd spoke about the added weight gain and how he is carrying the muscle around adding, “I feel more explosive and also just bigger. I can take more impact and stuff like that. I’ll be more durable during the season.”
Tennessee kicks the season off on Sept. 5 in Nashville against Bowling Green before returning home to host Oklahoma in Neyland Stadium.
Photo credit: utsports.com; No. 6 Alvin Kamara.