Sedrick Alexander knows that being an elite running back is not just about running the ball.
"I think I have arguably the best hands in the country," Alexander said after an Aug. 19 practice.
In 2025, Alexander had 105 rushing attempts for 567 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns. On top of that, he's a strong blocker who helped block for other running backs and receivers as well.
He's not the only running back who is set for a big year with Vanderbilt football in 2026. Makhilyn Young rushed 46 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns and made 14 catches for 133 yards. Jamezell Lassiter had nine carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 57 yards.
Freshmen Evan Hampton and Izayah
Lee have stood out in preseason practices as well. It could be one of the deepest and most versatile running back rooms in the country.
"Everybody's got to be ready to play in that room," Young said. "I think one of the things, and one of our goals, we want to be the best room in the country, and not just the best running back. We want to be the best room from top to bottom and from coach to assistant coach, the best at everything we do. And I think we take true pride in it."
Offensive coordinator Tim Beck will have his work cut out for him finding a spot for all of the running backs to play, but as one of the most run-heavy offenses in the country, Beck will likely find a way to get creative and showcase one of its best position rooms.
The Commodores frequently make use of multiple-running back formations, and subsequently they require their backs to be able to run block, not just pass protection.
"The thing about our running backs here at Vanderbilt is that you're not only going to pass protect or pick up linebackers, but we're going to ask you to run block," run game coordinator Ghaali Muhammad-Lankford said. "You're going to develop the entire skillset in terms of blocking. And so we feel that we're the best in the country."
The running backs have both youth and experience. According to CBS Sports, Alexander has played the most career FBS snaps of any active back. Young is a fifth-year player. Hampton and Lee are the next generation.
With Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers gone, Vanderbilt may not have as explosive of a passing game as last season. It's the running backs who have the chance to fill that void, with Alexander as a steady performer and Young as more of a home-run threat. Hampton looks like someone who could help in the passing game even if he's behind Alexander and Young as a traditional option. Lassiter got his chances in 2025, too.
And the preseason has been the perfect time to develop for the younger players with Alexander and Young having limited live reps. Neither player is injured but they are managing their workload because they are proven quantities.
Now, Hampton and Lee can come around as they, too, learn to do it all.
"Some people, they've just got to do one thing," Alexander said. "But for a running back, you've got to block, catch, run, read defenses, make sure you pick up the blitzes. It's a lot of things that go into running backs, so it's not as easy as people think."
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Vanderbilt football will be relying on run game in 2026
