Former Tennessee RB Jabari Small shares how he feels about the Vols in 2024

Former Tennessee Vols running back Jabari Small will be watching his alma mater from afar this season.

Small, one of the more underrated players in recent Tennessee football history (26 career touchdowns and over 2,300 total yards), signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft.

The former Vol is one of several undrafted rookies that appears to have a legitimate shot at earning a spot on the Titans' 53-man roster in 2024.

Before reporting to Titans training camp, Small went back to his hometown of Memphis to help with a free youth football camp at Briarcrest Christian School along with Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (Thomas and Small were teammates at Briarcrest).

Small spoke to The Commercial Appeal at the camp and he shared his thoughts on Tennessee ahead of the start of the 2024 season.

"I think the sky is the limit for them this season, they have all the pieces," said Small . "They got a great front seven, talent on the back end. And that offense is a well-oiled machine."

Small also pointed out that he thinks redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava is ready to lead the Vols' offense (Nico is set to take over as the starting quarterback on Rocky Top this fall).

"I think he's ready for the season," said Small of Iamaleava. "He has every tool you could want in a quarterback."

Small told The Commercial Appeal that he's grateful that he and Thomas were able to contribute to the resurgence of Tennessee football under Josh Heupel, instead of joining a program out of high school that was already a powerhouse.

"We didn't want to go to some school where there were already people there, where the dynasty was already cemented," noted Small. "To be a part of that rich tradition and great fan base, it was just an amazing experience that I'll cherish forever."

Tennessee will kick off the 2024 season on August 31 against Chattanooga at 12:45 PM ET (it's likely gonna be a hot one, so be prepared if you're going to the opener).

Related: Josh Heupel says one characteristic of the Tennessee Vols in 2024 is so obvious that 'Ray Charles can see it'