2014 - Jalen Hurd - Tennessee

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Running Back from Hendersonville, Tennessee

List interest in USC, Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, and Southern Cal

Rivals Bio

Scout Bio

247 Bio

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Article via 247

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Article via 247

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Article via 247

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"Hurd is a dynamic playmaker at the running back position who set school records for rushing yards and touchdowns this season," said Rivals.com Southeast Analyst Woody Wommack. "At 6-foot-3 there are some questions about his future at the position, but his athletic ability will translate well, no matter where he ends up on the field."

Link: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1435255

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As a sophomore, Hurd was a big versatile athlete that had the look of a safety, wide receiver, linebacker and maybe a running back. As a junior, Hurd took on the burden of proof and removed any doubt that he’s a running back all the way. In 2012, the 6-2, 205-pounder led his team to a 15-0 record and a state championship. Along the way he rushed for a state record of 3,357 yards and 43 touchdowns. Hurd’s closing act as a junior was a 394-yard, seven-touchdown performance in the state championship game. Florida, Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Tennessee are currently listed among Hurd’s favorites.

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/247Spor...an-Team-115768

"He's answered a lot of questions about whether or not he's a running back at the next level with his recent play on the field but he still needs to prove that he's on the same level of other backs in this class physically," Wommack said of Hurd, who checks in at No. 15. "He's a little taller than most running backs and because of it tends to run with an upright style that leaves him open to big hits. His ability to transition to the college game will depend on how he continues to develop throughout the offseason."

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...0948&PT=4&PR=2

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Which prospect who missed out on five-star status generated the most discussion/argument among the analysts?

There were plenty of them, but I'll say running back Jalen Hurd was probably one of the ones discussed the most. He's a great athlete and a terrific running back, but he has that upright style that makes you wonder if he'll be a star at the next level. And five-stars are projected as sure-fire talents at their positions and Hurd could be in a discussion like we had with Derrick Henry this past year.

There's no question it was Jalen Hurd. He's ranked as the No. 1 four-star in the country for good reason. Because of his size, there's some question as to whether he is a college running back. I think he is, and I think he's on par with some of the top backs in the country. He'll have his opportunity to go head-to-head with the five-star backs during the upcoming camp season.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...2648&PT=4&PR=2

[SwimCock]

Pretty sad that this kid is in the Viles' back yard and he is not considering them much at all. Their program is in bad shape and does not look to be improving much. Dumpster fire continues in obKNOXiousVILLE.

[Ericvol2096]

What are you talking about SC? Right now I would say we are 2nd behind Ohio St and that is after Dooley just completely botched recruiting the last 9 months he was coach. I feel very good about our 2014 class.

"It's been great. I came in here and it's been a different experience from last time," Hurd said. "Coach Jones is doing a great job and I think he's going to be very successful. I don't know if I'm going to be a part of it yet. I'm just taking my visits and taking it slowly and enjoying it.

"You just come in here and getting a different feeling. You always want to be on an interinary but just to be able to chill and interact with the coaches and play games and stuff. I just really enjoyed it. It's been great."

"It was insane," Hurd said donning a hooded Tennessee sweatshirt. "It was like a football game. All the fans were going crazy. I loved it."

"I wanted to see relationships," Hurd said. "The last time I came here the relationships wasn't on point as much as I wanted them to be. I came in today and I'm sitting down with coach Jones and coach Graham spending the whole day with them. It was a great experience with them.

"I was one of the first guys here and the last guys to leave and they have been giving my family and me a lot of love. It was just great. I spent a lot of time with coach Graham and coach Jones. It was awesome."

Hurd, who will enroll at his college choice next January, is scheduling a trip to Ohio State with his coach in the coming weeks and plans to be back in Knoxville to see spring practice.

"I'm going to go to every school I'm looking at during spring practice just to see how they operate as a team and on the field. I will definintely be back here," Hurd offered.

"This past year it didn't really matter. This season coming up is going to affect me," Hurd said. "It does matter (how the schools do) as well as the relationship with the coaches.

"I know they will be better. But I do need to see progress and I think they will do good."

"Coach Jones and the entire new staff has been great. I really enjoyed today. As soon as signing day was over, I talked to coach Jones, coach Graham and the offensive cooridinator coach Jake (Mike Bajakian). They have been great. They have showed me love and I'm just enjoying getting to know them."

VQ

[UTVOLS]

Originally Posted by SwimCock

Pretty sad that this kid is in the Viles' back yard and he is not considering them much at all. Their program is in bad shape and does not look to be improving much. Dumpster fire continues in obKNOXiousVILLE.

Dooley burned so many bridges with local coaches. We lost Vonn Bell and it is almost entirely on Dooley.

Jones has gotten us back in it with Hurd but it won't mean anything unless we can show decent imporvement this year. If we can go 7-6 (winning the bowl) I think we can expect a top-10 class this year, similar to Ole Miss (only the bulk of our kids will be highly ranked legacies). Bates, Kelly Jr, Hurd, the Berry twins, Malone, etc...

If we don't, then yes, you'll be right, and the dumpster fire will continue. Our schedule is brutal, so there's a decent chance that will indeed happen.

[ICEHOCEY77]

It's going to be funny when this kid ends up at Vandy.

[Ericvol2096]

It's going to be funny when James Franklin leaves Vandy and they go back to being awful.

[Ericvol2096]

Yea this guy isn't considering TN at all...Butch Jones is doing work.

Espn

Jalen Hurd felt like a valued guest on his latest visit. That wasn't always the feeling he had when it came to the University of Tennessee.

While visiting UT, the ESPN Watch List tailback was doted on by first-year head coach Butch Jones. It was a much different experience than he had with former UT coach Derek Dooley. The relationship between Hurd and the Vols has changed dramatically since Tennessee's coaching change following the 2012 season.

"It's a 100 times better than it was," the 6-foot-3, 195-pound tailback from Hendersonville (Tenn.) Beech said. "The previous staff, I didn't really have much of a relationship with. This staff has shown me a lot of love. I really appreciate that."

In desperate need of a power tailback, Jones and his staff gave Hurd the treatment he warranted. Jones had Hurd sit next to him during the Tennessee-Kentucky basketball game last Saturday. Hurd was impressed by the attention.

"I thought it was great," Hurd said. "I got to meet with Coach Jones and the whole coaching staff. I really enjoyed it."

With plenty of schools in pursuit, he's planning several visits this spring and summer. Ohio State and Florida are on the list. He said he'll visit Knoxville again to watch a spring practice.

Hurd said he would like to see the Volunteers improve this fall. After three straight losing seasons, he's not so worried about wins and losses, just improvement.

"It's very important," Hurd said. "I think Coach Jones will do a great job. In previous years they've dropped off a little bit. They probably need to do better. I just need to see improvement."

Hurd admits he grew up a Tennessee fan. He remembers cheering for former Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns.
If Hurd selects Tennessee, he would like to follow in Hardesty's footsteps. Some have questioned whether Hurd will play tailback in college. Apparently, Tennessee has not.

"Tennessee wants to keep me at tailback," Hurd said. "They like the way I run the ball. They said they have no reason why I can't play tailback."
Handling a potential position switch will be key for any school recruiting Hurd. He's intent on playing tailback in college.

"It's very important," he said. "I grew up playing tailback all of my life. It feels like home to me and I really don't want to switch positions."

[StretfordEnd]

Originally Posted by SwimCock

Pretty sad that this kid is in the Viles' back yard and he is not considering them much at all. Their program is in bad shape and does not look to be improving much. Dumpster fire continues in obKNOXiousVILLE.

Dooley did a very poor job of building and maintaining relationships with high schools in and around Tennessee. A coach at Rhea County High School, which is roughly an hour from Knoxville, talked in an article in the CTFP that he could tell you who the assigned recruiter to his area was from Auburn, Georgia, etc., but that he had heard very little from Tennessee. My point is that UT was going to be at a disadvantage with this kid from the get-go because of Doolander. With that being said, I hope SC gets him.

[MikeTrainNC8]

LOL eric, you forget one thing- ya'll have to win some games.. and that will NOT happen often these next few seasons.

And

It's going to be funny when James Franklin leaves Vandy and they go back to being awful.

It's funnier that Vandy hired a 10x better coach than yall, especially considering that was years ago...

Vandy>>UT... ouch.. and I don't think it will change anytime soon

[UTVOLS]

If Butch Jones can coach better than Dooley (shouldn't take much) Tennessee will beat Vandy this year.
Hurd won't be at Vandy anyway.

[SwimCock]

Originally Posted by UTVOLS

Dooley burned so many bridges with local coaches. We lost Vonn Bell and it is almost entirely on Dooley.

Jones has gotten us back in it with Hurd but it won't mean anything unless we can show decent imporvement this year. If we can go 7-6 (winning the bowl) I think we can expect a top-10 class this year, similar to Ole Miss (only the bulk of our kids will be highly ranked legacies). Bates, Kelly Jr, Hurd, the Berry twins, Malone, etc...

If we don't, then yes, you'll be right, and the dumpster fire will continue. Our schedule is brutal, so there's a decent chance that will indeed happen.

Top 10 class? You need a reality check!

[UTVOLS]

Originally Posted by SwimCock

Top 10 class? You need a reality check!

You know as much about who we are in on as I do about who you are in on.

Our legacy and in-state class alone would put us in the top 12.

Vol fans have been waiting for this class since Fulmer was still coach.

[EveryThingGreen]

Originally Posted by SwimCock

Top 10 class? You need a reality check!

Vols sucked this year, lost their HC, missed on a bunch of kids late, and still finished #20.

They will always be able to recruit and this year they have a bunch of legacies that they'll land that will boost their class.

[Ericvol2096]

Committed to TN today.

I have committed to Tennessee,” an excited Hurd said. “The decision just came natural to me. The first time I visited with the new staff (Feb. 16), it clicked with me and I knew that Tennessee is where I wanted to be. I feel like in my heart this is the place I need to be, and can’t wait to play for my home-state university.”

“Coach Jones is a real genuine guy,” Hurd said. “I just love him. I met his family when I went down there, and they are great. He feels that I fit in perfectly as a running back and that I’m a game-changer for the program. With the new staff, and where they are headed, it’s the place for me. I’m going to do everything I can to help get the program going again.”

Hurd, who is full of pride for his home state, said today is a dream come true.

“I’ve grown up watching Tennessee,” he said. “My grandparents are huge Tennessee fans. For me to stay home and play for the Vols is a dream come true. It’s been amazing the love I have received from the fans. There isn’t another college that has the fans showing me love like Tennessee. I get 50 to 100 Twitter messages a day from people telling me they hope I play at Tennessee. All the ‘Rise and grind’ messages and telling me to be a part of the new class at Tennessee is awesome. It’s a love you get from the home-state fans that you can’t get anywhere else.”

“We have talked a little, and I’m excited that he is going to Tennessee, too,” Hurd said. “I knew Tennessee was where I was going before he committed, so it’s not that his decision affected mine, but I’m happy that he is coming, too. I’m excited all of the guys committed are coming and hope a lot more make the same decision.”

“Coach Jay Graham had told me a lot about the university and my position at Tennessee, but he has left, of course,” Hurd said. “I have talked to (new running backs) Coach (Robert) Gillespie, and I love him and am excited to play for him.”

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