Tennessee offensive coordinator Jalen Wright is trying to think of just the right way to describe a running back's speed.
Yes, Jalen, the Dolphins' rookie running back, is blazing fast.
But Mr. Wright's style The speed of is unique, and that's something Joey Hartzl really wants to get across on the phone this week during his recruiting assignments.
“His speed… it's powerful''Harzl says. “Some guys look like they're gliding. With Jalen, it's like he's digging into the ground and attacking with every step. It's like watching a thoroughbred. When he runs… it's powerful; It's a violent act.”
oh. No wonder Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, backed by coach Mike McDaniel, gave up a future third-round pick for a fourth-round pick this year.
Harzl noted that Tennessee utilizes multiple backs, so “there's plenty of tread left on the tires.”
The combination of Raheem Mostert, Devon Ashen, and Wright could be deadly.
“His future is very bright,” Harzl said. “He had a year where you could say he gave it his all. You turn on the tape and you can see the speed. When he got to Tennessee, he was a track kid. He struggled with gaining weight. Then he committed to the weight room. And with film study and script study, Jaylen has improved his vision and strength from about 189 to about 215. And then you think, 'Wow, this kid looks different.'”
When told recently that he was the sixth-fastest player on the Miami Dolphins, Wright said he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at a heavier weight than many other players.
“He has patience,” Hartzl said. “He's going to go vertical through that hole with his speed and ferocity. He reminds me of (Isaiah) Pacheco (of the Chiefs). He's got home run speed. But no dance. He's a people guy. He will try to run through the gap.”
Hartzl recalled Wright scoring a 75-yard touchdown run to open the game against rival Georgia last year.
The Vols lost, but Wright set the tone on the first play of the game.
“It's a great moment,” Hartzl said. “You could have paused the movie and gotten a 12-point gain. But he was gone. Like I said, that's the moment I found out he wasn't coming back (to college). It was a huge display of his talent and how he got so much stronger and didn't run away from it.
Hartzl explained that it may take time for Wright to open up to the media.
“He will do that when he gets more comfortable,” Hartzl said. “He's also walking that rookie line. But don't mistake the quiet for a lack of competitiveness or focus. He's a mean, nasty guy on the field.”
Well, this all seems ideal.
“I'm waiting for the big play to happen,” Hartzl said.
Joe Shad is a journalist who covers the Miami Dolphins and NFL for the Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and X. @shajo. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse newsletter. Please support our work by subscribing today.