Tennessee football: Unleashing Ty Chandler key to unlocking Vols offense

After back-to-back losing seasons, the key to turning Tennessee into a winner could be unlocking Ty Chandler’s potential.

Great expectations

Ty Chandler has always carried high expectations. The 5-foot-11, 211-pound. running back out of Montgomery Bell High School in Nashville, TN. was the No. 2 ranked commitment for Tennessee after rushing for 6,158 yards and 92 touchdowns in high school.

He was selected to the 2017 U.S. Army All-American game and received the 2015 Mr. Tennessee Football Award. Chandler has a verified high school forty time of 4.4 seconds. Ultimately, Chandler chose to play for the Vols over Auburn, Duke and Florida.

Chandler flashed as a freshman on Rocky Top as the primary rushing option behind John Kelly in 2017. He totaled 413 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 81 touches. He finished the season well with four receptions for 94 yards at Alabama and ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns against Kentucky.

The four-star recruit built on that success in 2018 when he led the backfield in rushing. Despite receiving 17 fewer handoffs than Tim Jordan, Chandler rushed for 630 yards and four touchdowns on a 5.5 yards per carry average, a full yard better than Jordan.

Running style

Chandler’s running style is an intriguing blend of size and speed. He displays good speed when running in space, which reflects his high school forty time of 4.4 seconds. He is most effective when working inside the tackles and running in a straight line. When he is pounding through interior gaps, he flashes great burst and gains momentum running downfield.

Chandler’s vision was a saving grace for him in 2018; it allowed him to be effective while running behind a depleted offensive line unit. He has quick movements that make him a twitchy runner, despite weighing in over 200 pounds; often allowing him to extend plays after contact.

What Chandler does best is hit the hole without fear. Chandler is not afraid to lower his shoulder bursting through a hole and it can lead to linebackers being barreled over while he fights for more yards. Chandler balances his strength with great balance; making him a true playmaker.

Schemed for success

Tyson Helton and Jeremy Pruitt struggled to find a cohesive approach to the Volunteer’s offense in 2018. Helton left Tennessee after just one season after being offered the head coach job at Western Kentucky. After a search which dragged on longer than most fans expected, Pruitt landed former Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney who was 32-10 from 2016-2018 running the offense.

Chaney is not new to Knoxville, though, having served as the offensive coordinator from 2009-2012. Chaney won the one game he served as interim head coach in 2012, after the firing of Derek Dooley.

He is known for his run-first approach to play calling, which reflects what Pruitt often suggests is his brand of SEC football. From 2016-2018, Chaney called 42 rushing plays per game. In that same span, he called 25 passing plays per game for the Bulldogs.

Running backs have been targeted heavily in Chaney’s offense the last three years. In 2016, Sony Michel finished fourth on the team in receptions, D’Andre Swift was fourth in receptions in 2017 and was third in 2018 when he was only 11 receptions behind team leader and 4th round NFL Draft pick Riley Ridley.

Unleashing his potential unlocks Vols offense

If Chandler can break 1,000 total yards the Vols would be well on their way to an eight-win season, a huge leap in the right direction.

He should be able to do that as the lead back.

Jordan struggled with efficiency in 2018, and Jeremy Banks’ remains removed from an imminent breakout. Four-star commitment Eric Gray from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis may challenge Chandler’s volume, but he was held out of spring practice due to an injury which could set him back.

Chandler’s biggest challenge will be running behind a young and inexperienced offensive line. The Vols may be relying on freshmen tackles Wayna Morris and Darnell Wright to make a quick impact on Rocky Top. Tennessee remains unsure if former five-star recruit and NFL Draft prospect Trey Smith will be able to play this season.

Chandler’s vision and pass catching ability, however, transcend those issues. He is able to navigate swiftly through tight A and B gaps while bursting through holes to scrap for extra yards. Chandler also has good instincts and soft hands while catching check-downs from Guarantano as defenders penetrate broken pockets.

Chandler’s skills combined with a run-focused offensive mentality is a formula for success.

While many look to quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and receiver Marquez Callaway to lead the Vols to revitalization, it could be Chandler who is the key to Vols resurgence.