Tennessee 5-star running back Jalen committed to the Vols way back on March 14th and his pledge helped spearhead what ended up as a top-5 class. Running backs coach Robert Gillespie and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen were his recruiters.

Tennessee desperately needed to sign at least one elite back in this class, and keeping Hurd in-state was huge for the program. He can run between the tackles, beat you outside, line up in the slot, return kicks, and do just about anything on offense. His versatility will be a great fit for Jones’ offense. Hurd has great instincts and several recruiting analysts I’ve spoken to have told me they fully expect him to be a star, not only in college, but in the NFL.

The Vols have to replace starting RB Rajion Neal this season. Junior Marlin Lane had a solid, though inconsistent season running the ball and Hurd’s ability to enroll early and participate in spring practice will go a long way towards ensuring that he sees the field early. In an offense in desperate need of playmakers, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where a healthy Hurd isn’t on the field making plays in some capacity when the Vols kick off the season this fall.

The Basics: Rated as a 5-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals and a 4-star recruit by ESPN and Scout, Jalen Hurd is a 6-3, 227 pound running back from Hendersonville, Tennessee (Beech HS). Hurd is rated as a top-70 prospect by ESPN, 247Sports, and Rivals and as the No. 2 athlete in the 2014 class by 247Sports. He rushed for a state single-season record 3,357 yards on 317 carries as a junior and scored 46 touchdowns. A shoulder injury cut short his senior year. He chose the Vols over Alabama, Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and others.

Scouting Reports: “Hurd has tremendous size at 6’3”, 225 pounds, but he’s also extremely athletic and has good speed. Like many of the elite backs in college football recruiting nowadays, Hurd has the size of an outside linebacker and the speed of a running back—and that’s exactly how he plays…He’s an extremely strong runner that is always moving downhill with low pad level. He keeps his legs moving and will pick up the extra tough yards. That said, he displays great vision and a very good cutback move that allows him to find a new lane, and he has that proverbial “second gear” that allows him to run away from defenders. He runs with purpose and he’ll be hard to take down, even in the SEC.” – BleacherReport.com

“Vision is good as he follow his blocks, sees the second-level cutback and will also bounce out of a cloudy hole — but he’s lacking natural pick and slide skill set. Is more of an upright slasher who is at his best when he has a vertical crease to hit…When he does hit a north/south seam, he can be very dangerous with his acceleration and shiftiness. Can speed cut in the open field and has some big play speed and elusiveness. Will beat poor pursuit angles and has some big-play ability with the ball in his hands…Overall, he is a dynamic prospect who will make things happen. Has returner skills as well and could project at a number of different positions — RB, H-Back, TE, WR, OLB or S.” – ESPN.com 

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