Tennessee coach Butch Jones confirms Jalen Hurd's decision to leave the team
In the Southeastern Conference, things sure can go sideways when a team drops an unexpected game. Hey, it just means more right?
The latest example comes from Knoxville, where Monday morning Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has confirmed earlier reports that junior running back Jalen Hurd plans to leave the program effective immediately. Hurd did not participate in the second half of the South Carolina game.
“I support him on that and I’m very supportive of (his decision),” Jones said after confirming the news. The coach denied that any promises were made to the junior running back which may have led to Hurd’s decision to leave.
This news comes on the heels of Tennessee’s surprising 24-21 loss in Columbia Saturday night to a 3-4 South Carolina team. Making the game’s end results even worse, the Vols were coming off a bye and had two weeks to prepare for a true freshman quarterback in Jake Bentley, who was making his first career start against a league opponent.
Hurd leaves Tennessee after accumulating 2,635 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. His rushing total puts him sixth on the school’s all-time rushing list, only 444 yards away from becoming the program’s all-time leader (Travis Henry is Tennessee’s leader with 3,078 yards).
At this time, it seems worth noting Hurd missed most of the second half of the Georgia game and did not make the trip to Texas A&M this season under odd circumstances. Jones commented on the back’s absence saying Hurd had suffered a “lower extremity” injury in the Georgia game and was believed to have missed the trip to College Station due to an “upper-body injury” many believed to be stemming from a concussion.
Where this leaves the Vols with four games remaining on the schedule is anyone’s best guess but this move seems odd on the outside looking in considering Tennessee still has a shot to represent East division in Atlanta.
Sad for Hurd. That man is a helluva RB. Hurd and Dobbs carried this team for a long damn time. Wish him luck. Who else is gonna leave? Coach Jones better get his big boy britches on and fix this soon. All goes back to playcalling and that idiot Deboard. Deboard has cost Tennessee alot and will doom Jones. Wait and see.
Hell, we have the talent to be able to compete but they don’t use it. Our first play against bama was Hurd as a fullback for kamara and that ran for 9. I really think the I formation would help us out a lot with the players we have. The only problem I have with dobbs is his inconsistency and his unwillingness to throw the ball away at times on a blown play.
Not sure what you’re saying here? If you had run the I formation more the game would have turned out differently? nah, don’t think so
So this begs the question where the hell is he transferring to?
Totally. He better not end up at another SEC school.
Earlier today I opined elsewhere on this site that I thought the “Jalen Hurd injury report” was a hoax. This news confirms my suspicions & lends credence to the possibility that a lot more unrest resides in UT’s football program. Expect more departures to follow…among the first of which should be Mike DeBord.
yep.
Debord is a joke.
Yeah, I think “lower extremity” might mean he was butt hurt & “upper extremity” means his heart wasn’t in it. SMH
Love the Vols but don’t understand, yes a win is a win but Jones And Deboard are happy with the way the games were won ??? and in his recent press conference he said they were fine just fine?? meaning winning in dbl overtime to ApSt is acceptable?? and now to let Hurd Go I’m thinking there are going to a few more following
What’s up with Kongbo and his cleats tweet?
He was referring to some FIFA soccer game finish.
So when Sumlin’s teams drop off the face of the earth after a loss and elite players transfer its a dumper fire train wreck. When can we stop calling butch jones a process brick by brick all that and say he’s not that good.
don’t look now, but we’re falling to pieces… brick by brick.
I never care for RBs wearing single digits (unless it’s to pay tribute to someone). RBs should be a team within a team. There’s no place for egos.
Completely agree
And another Lane Kiffin moment
Dude just signed a hate note
Not sure how you’re still blaming stuff on kiffin….
Lying to recruits eventually catches up with you.
Lots of young talent chomping at the bit to play the game. Like sharks teeth, one breaks off, another takes its place. Build that young talent and compete! BTW, fire DeBord…