Dylan Sampson makes it clear to the Tennessee Vols and the NCAA that he intends to stay here and that no one can stop him from being the best.

In an era when college football rosters shift almost as frequently as game plans, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson isn’t just standing firm—he’s planting his flag. As the transfer portal spins and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals muddy traditional loyalties, Sampson made his voice crystal clear: He’s staying with the Tennessee Volunteers. And not only that—he’s coming for greatness, and nobody, not even the NCAA itself, is going to stop him.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Sampson recently said in a bold, defiant tone. “This is where I belong. This is where I’m going to become the best. And no one’s stopping that—not the critics, not the competition, not the system. Nobody.”

For Tennessee fans, Sampson’s statement wasn’t just a comfort—it was a declaration of war on mediocrity. For a program looking to break through the SEC glass ceiling and return to perennial contender status, Sampson’s loyalty and fire come at the perfect time.

A Player Who Refuses to Be Overlooked

Sampson’s journey hasn’t been one of guaranteed stardom. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he arrived in Knoxville as a three-star recruit in the class of 2022—hardly the headline-grabbing five-star names the SEC is used to parading. But what he lacked in hype, he made up for in pure electricity on the field.

Even in limited opportunities during his freshman season, Sampson flashed rare burst and elusiveness, averaging over 6.0 yards per carry and quickly becoming a fan favorite. Despite being buried behind more seasoned backs, Sampson’s touches routinely turned into highlights.

Fast forward to 2024, and the once-underestimated recruit is now the beating heart of Tennessee’s offense. He racked up over 1,000 all-purpose yards last season, proved he could carry the load when asked, and carved out a leadership role in the locker room. But beyond the numbers, it’s his mentality that has separated him.

“I’ve always felt like I had to prove something,” Sampson said. “I wasn’t the guy people expected to take over here. But now they see it. Now they feel it.”

In the Age of the Portal, Sampson Stays Rooted

When the NCAA transfer portal re-opened this spring, speculation hit a fever pitch across the country. Big programs started sniffing around players like Sampson—young, explosive, proven in the SEC. Rumors of poaching were inevitable. And in this new age of NIL-fueled recruitment, loyalty is often a casualty of business.

But Sampson wasn’t interested in being courted.

“I got calls. People reached out through people. That’s the game now,” he said. “But I told my coaches and my teammates: I’m not going anywhere. I’m locked in here.”

His decision speaks volumes in a time when many players follow the money or greener pastures at the first sign of struggle. Sampson, however, sees Tennessee as both the proving ground and the destination. He sees his own development, the relationships he’s built, and the challenges ahead as motivation—not obstacles.

And in doing so, he’s become something rare: a modern-day college football player who chooses to build something rather than join something already built.

Calling Out the NCAA, His Way

Sampson’s recent comments weren’t just a rallying cry for his own team. They also sent a pointed message to the NCAA—a body that continues to struggle with policing the chaotic landscape it created.

“The system’s broken in a lot of ways,” Sampson said. “Guys get pushed around, used, thrown into new teams like it’s fantasy football. You can be great one week and forgotten the next. I’m not about that. I’m building something real, and no one can take that from me.”

Sampson has become more vocal about the lack of structure in the transfer portal, the exploitative nature of some NIL arrangements, and the pressure it places on young athletes to abandon their process for immediate rewards.

“Some of these kids are getting told to leave schools they love because of a check. Or they feel like they have to start over every year to be seen. That’s not football. That’s not college. That’s not right.”

His message is as much a protest as it is a promise. A promise that, at Tennessee, he’s going to prove it’s still possible to become elite without selling out.

Inside the Locker Room: The Players Are Listening

Ask any Vols teammate about Dylan Sampson, and the response is swift and full of respect. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, now emerging as a leader in his own right, described Sampson as “the engine that runs us.”

“Dylan isn’t just a great back—he’s a leader,” Iamaleava said. “He pushes all of us. He holds everyone accountable. And when he talks, we listen.”

Wide receiver Bru McCoy echoed that sentiment, adding, “You feel his presence. Whether it’s on the practice field or in the weight room, he brings intensity. You can tell he’s chasing greatness, and he’s not scared to bring us with him.”

That energy has become contagious. Several Tennessee players have reportedly turned down portal opportunities of their own after seeing Sampson’s stance. In many ways, his personal commitment has helped stabilize a roster on the brink of a massive transformation.

The Hype Is Real—and Earned

With spring camp wrapped and the Vols heading into the summer, Sampson is expected to be the centerpiece of Tennessee’s offense. Head coach Josh Heupel has praised his maturity and consistency, calling him “one of the most complete backs I’ve coached.”

“He’s elite in pass protection, he’s got hands like a receiver, and obviously, his burst is special,” Heupel said. “But what stands out is his commitment to this team and to getting better. That’s why he’s going to have a big year.”

Scouts are already taking notice, projecting Sampson as a high Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he continues his current trajectory. But ask Sampson about the next level, and he’ll give you a quick answer: “That’s for later. I’ve got work to do here first.”

Fueling the Fire: Motivation from Doubt

Even with all the praise, Sampson hasn’t forgotten the doubters. He keeps receipts—literally.

“I still have screenshots from people saying I was too small. That I wouldn’t last in the SEC,” he said. “I look at that before every game. Every workout.”

That chip on his shoulder hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, it’s gotten heavier. And it’s helping fuel what many expect to be a breakout campaign.

“I want to be the best back in the country,” Sampson said. “That’s the goal. Not just in the SEC—everywhere. I want to be the guy people can’t ignore.”

And he’s backing it up with relentless offseason work. Coaches say he’s been the most consistent performer in spring ball, often staying after practice to run extra routes or help younger backs with footwork drills.

Tennessee’s Road Ahead—and Sampson’s Role in It

The Vols face a tough schedule this fall, with early showdowns against Oklahoma and Florida and a brutal back-end stretch that includes Georgia and Alabama. But Sampson doesn’t blink.

“We’re not scared of anybody,” he said. “This isn’t the Tennessee of five years ago. We’re coming.”

If the Vols are to truly contend in the SEC East and beyond, it will be because of leaders like Sampson. He represents the bridge between eras—a gritty, hungry player with old-school loyalty and new-school explosiveness.

In the offseason of upheaval, his commitment is more than a personal decision. It’s a culture-defining one.

“They’ll Remember Me Here”

Ultimately, Sampson’s message is about legacy. Not just as a player, but as a symbol of what Tennessee football can become again.

“I want people to remember my name here,” he said. “Not because I put up stats—but because I stayed. Because I believed. Because I helped bring Tennessee back.”

His eyes lit up as he spoke those words, the weight of them settling over the moment like a thundercloud waiting to break.

“Everyone’s looking for the next opportunity. I’m looking to leave a mark. I’m looking to be the best. And no one’s going to stop me.”

With that, Dylan Sampson walked off the practice field, his cleats crunching softly on the turf—each step echoing with purpose. And in Knoxville, the echoes are getting louder.