Jalen Hurd Leaves Tennessee Volunteers Program, but Why?

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Shocking news broke on Monday that one of Tennessee’s all-time great running backs was leaving the Volunteers program. All that is left now is to wonder why Jalen Hurd would leave Knoxville in the middle of Tennessee’s season just 440 yards shy of breaking the school’s all-time rushing record.

The weight of the news had to fall heavy on Volunteer fans across the nation. The patience of the fans, boosters, and alumni with head coach Butch Jones is starting to payoff, albeit not as quick as hoped. Jones started off rough in Knoxville posting a 5-7 mark in 2013 but followed that up with a 7-6 campaign in 2014 that included a TaxSlayer Bowl win. The 2015 season showed a marked sign of improvement ending 9-4 with a second consecutive bowl win topping Northwestern 45-6 in the Outback Bowl.

The 2016 season started out promising going 5-0 with quality wins over Virginia Tech (45-24), Florida (38-28), and Georgia (34-31). Tough times have hit the Volunteers hitting a three-game skid. The first two losses are explainable losing 45-38 on the road to Texas A&M and at home to No. 1 Alabama 49-10. The third loss, tougher to explain away dropping a 24-21 road contest to South Carolina.

Tennessee is in great position to finish the regular season with nine wins facing Tennessee Tech, Kentucky, Missouri, and Vanderbilt to finish the schedule. The next three are all at home. If the Vols can close out the regular season with four wins and then notch a third consecutive bowl victory, Tennessee would close the year with their first 10-win season since 2007 (Phillip Fulmer).

With all the potential for a positive end to the season, why would Hurd think it best to leave mid-season knowing he could be an early NFL Draft entry if so desired after the Vols’ bowl game?

Jones took a positive spin on Hurd’s departure stating, “I support him on that.” Jones went on to add, “I’m very, very thankful for everything that he’s done for our football program, but it’s all about our football program and our football team in moving forward from this point forward.”

Hurd (6-4, 240) has arguably lived up to his five-star recruit status rushing for 899 yards with five scores on the ground during his freshman season. In 2015, he was among the SEC’s best, which is a big statement finishing fourth in total rushing yards behind Heisman Trophy Award winner Derrick Henry (2,219), Leonard Fournette (1,953), and Alex Collins (1,577). Hurd added 1,288 yards to his resume with 12 more scores on the ground.

The Volunteers ground game is led by Hurd’s 451 yards starting all seven games he played this season missing the Texas A&M contest. His touches have dwindled since Game 4 against Florida when he carried the ball 26 times for 95 yards. Against Georgia he had 10 totes for 42 yards, verses Bama 13 for 28, and against South Carolina 8 for 16 with a touchdown. Worth noting that Hurd did not get a carry in the second half against the Gamecocks. Hurd has reportedly been slowed by an unspecified injury.

Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Dobbs is the team’s second leading rusher (320 yards) but Alvin Kamara is the preferred back-up running back with 313 yards along with three scores this season. Kamara missed the Vols’ showdown against South Carolina with an unspecified injury expected to take him out of action until or after the Kentucky game. Sophomore tailback John Kelly was the go-to guy for Tennessee against USC carrying the ball 14 times for 94 yards. Kelly’s season totals were raised to 209 yards with two scores off 33 carries. A point to note, Kelly has not lost yardage on a carry this season.

Players transfer for one reason or another, but typically a top player at a Power Five Conference program does not call it quits in the middle of the season, especially with NFL Draft stock value on the line. The departure is being called a transfer, but chances are Hurd has taken his last collegiate snap racking up 2,638 yards on the ground with 17 touchdowns and 67 receptions for 492 more yards with six more scores.

Jones wrapped up Hurd’s transfer stating, “I value our relationship and have a lot of respect for that young man and wish him nothing but the best.” Jones closed with, “I wish him well and hope he finds everything he’s looking for.”

Hurd did not post a goodbye or explanation on his Twitter account to his 117,000-plus followers.

Tennessee officially starts a new era in the backfield on Saturday kicking off against Tennessee Tech in non-conference action at 4:00 p.m. ET with the SEC Network Alternate providing coverage.

Photo credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press; No. 1 Jalen Hurd finds running room against the Hogs (2015).