ESPN's Mel Kiper points out key Tennessee Vols player as a 'sleeper' for the 2025 NFL Draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr pointed out a Tennessee Vols junior this week as a "sleeper" for the 2025 NFL Draft.

The longtime ESPN draft analyst mentioned Vols running back Dylan Sampson as a player who's making some "early noise" this season.

From ESPN : If you want a pair of sleepers, Tennessee's Dylan Sampson and Rutgers' Kyle Monangai are making some early noise. They are ranked ninth and 10th at the position on my list, respectively. Sampson (5-foot-11, 201 pounds) has stepped up in Jaylen Wright's place, rushing for 357 yards and nine scores over three games (including 101 yards and four TDs Saturday against Kent State). He's a home-run hitter, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

Sampson is off to a quick start this season after taking over as Tennessee's top running back.

The Louisiana native has rushed for 357 yards and nine touchdowns over the first three games of the season. That's despite sitting for most of the second half in each of the Vols' first three games.

Sampson is a dynamic runner who has improved in pass protection and is proving that he can be a physical runner, too. As long as he stays healthy, it feels likely that he'll be off to the NFL after the 2024 season.

Related: Quote from Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel should absolutely scare the daylights out of the rest of college football