Jalen Hurd asked about who the best RB in the conference is

The SEC is loaded with running backs and Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd is no exception.

Hurd enters his third season with 2,187 rushing yards, which is 892 shy of Travis Henry’s school record. He recorded 1,288 yards in 2016, which is second among returning SEC running backs.

However, he’s just one of many standouts in the conference. The SEC also includes LSU’s Leonard Fournette as well as Georgia’s Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, each of whom ranked higher than Hurd in the 2014 national signing class.

Hurd told reporters Thursday that he’s motivated by the stacked competition at the position.

Hurd on the SEC being loaded at running back: "It pushes me. When you see them doing well, you want to do well, too, and do better."

— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) August 4, 2016

When asked who the best running back in the conference is, Hurd said it will be answered after the season.

Asked Hurd who he thought was the best running back in the SEC: "We'll see after the season."

— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) August 4, 2016

Perhaps he should’ve been asked who the best back on Tennessee’s roster is. Teammate Alvin Kamara also rated as a four-star JUCO transfer and recorded 698 yards and seven touchdowns on 107 carries, as well as 291 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions.

Either way, the Vols are fortunate to have heavy depth at running back.

Jason Hall

Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.