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Running back’s comeback: Sutton Smith is close to return to field after injury

By , Daily Memphian Updated: April 01, 2025 8:05 AM CT | Published: April 01, 2025 4:00 AM CT

When running back Sutton Smith came to the University of Memphis as a freshman in 2022, it didn’t take long for coach Ryan Silverfield to compare his skill set to that of former Tiger and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell. 

Smith, the Georgia native from George Walton High School, caught the coaching staff’s eye almost immediately. 

Memphis anticipated big things from him, but as a true freshman, he still had to wait his turn with three running backs ahead of him. 

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Memphis Tigers Football Sutton Smith Subscriber Only

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Frank Bonner II

Frank Bonner II

Frank Bonner is the Memphis Tigers football beat writer. He is originally from Indiana but arrived in Memphis after spending two years in Tulsa, covering Oklahoma State football and basketball. He covered high school sports in Columbus, Indiana for two years before getting his Master’s degree in Sports Journalism at IUPUI. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.


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