Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson draws motivation from South African paraathlete’s triumph over adversity

Ever since Dylan Sampson set foot on that turf, he has become an anomaly for Vols football. In his first game against NCSU, the guy went for 2 touchdowns and 20 carries. And the momentum never stopped. Against Kent, Dylan Sampson had probably the best game of the season. Going for 4 total touchdowns as the Vols clinched the W by a MASSIVE 71-0. Sampson has quickly become one of the top breakout stars in the entire country, carrying the Vols with ease with 1100+ yards and 20 touchdowns under his belt. And with the Vols closing in on the playoffs with their 8-1 run, Sampson needs all the motivation he can get.

And it looks like RB just discovered a star he can look to for that motivation. On YouTube, ESPN shared a clip of Sampson’s recent visit to South Africa. Now what is special about this trip? Well, the Vols RB got to meet with para-athlete Simphiwe Ditshaba. This 13-year-old kid managed to show Sampson what real endurance feels like. “He’s always loved sports. Just to see someone with that vibrant energy and great passion, it makes you appreciate everything.” Sampson had mentioned. Ditshaba, despite losing both his legs and right arm (due to a bacterial infection), managed to break the South African U17 100m and 200m records.

“He has a real spiritand I try to keep that with me,” Sampson mentioned. It is beautiful to see this bond unfold. See, Sampson has become the Vols’ new underdog. As we mentioned before, this guy made a good play for Tennessee.

Take the Bama game as an example. Yes, we agree that Alabama wasn’t quite in the right frame of mind. However, you can’t let that discredit the fact that Sampson managed to grab 2 touchdowns. That too against a team that had taken down one of the best comps out there (Bulldogs and Kirby Smart).

It’s heartbreaking to see Mel Kiper not put Sampson on his Top 10 RB list. But it looks like this guy is going to have a massive shot at proving his haters wrong and earning his spot on the roster. Look, the Vols are going to go up against the Bulldogs and this game will sort of decide who deserves a spot on the playoff roster.

Vols vs. Bulldogs

Here’s the thing. Kirby Smart barely has a chance to win this one, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy one for the Vols. Look, this is home and the Bulldogs have their backs against the wall. After that loss to Ole Miss, the Dawgs playoff chances have taken a massive hit. Lane Kiffin managed to hold one of the best teams out there to just 10 points while taking a 28 point victory.

How does this translate to the Vols vs Dawgs game? Well, Georgia CAN’T play football at all. Carson Beck has been a mess with his throw and overall presence, and the Dawgs run game has been abysmal. So long Nico Lamaleava is in the right shape and making the right plays, nothing can stop the Vols from winning this one.

Look, Tennessee already has an elite defense. Couple that with what Sampson is doing on offense, there isn’t much the Dawgs D-line can do. Still, you never know how it’s going to turn out. This is another road game for the Vols, and the last time they were in one, they lost (against Arkansas 19-14).