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Could Vols Star Jalen Hurd Become the Greatest Running Back in Tennessee Football History?

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jalen Hurd has already made his mark on Tennessee football in two years. Here is how he could become the greatest running back in Volunteers history.

He’s not even in the Top 10 right now, but if he matches his performance of either of the past two years, Jalen Hurd will break the all-time rushing yards record in Tennessee Vols history this year and get into the Top 5 in all-time rushing touchdowns.

Despite splitting time with Alvin Kamara and even Joshua Dobbs to a degree, Hurd still managed 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year in 2015 and was the clear workhorse for Butch Jones and Mike DeBord.

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And if he continues his improvement while helping to lead the Vols to a great season, he will become the greatest running back in Tennessee football history this year.

Sure, he only averaged a little over four and a half yards per carry, but he was the power guy expected to shoulder huge loads. Add in his 22 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns, and this guy is can do it all.

Hurd is durable, strong, fast, has vision, and rarely fumbles. He is also as good against elite defenses, going for 91 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Alabama Crimson Tide, as he is against mediocre defenses.

He’s Travis Henry with height and pass-catching abilities.

Part of Hurd’s greatness is his shiftiness in open space. Although he is a clear North-South runner, when he gets to the outside he has shown an ability to elude linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.

He also is quick enough to cut, follow his blockers, and use his breakaway speed. Take a look at his cuts and vision in the touchdown against Alabama.

As you can see, he demonstrated the vision to cut inside toward the tackles, then cut to the outside, then cut back inside for the score quicker than linebackers or secondary players could get off their blocks.

But those cuts alone don’t make him great. There’s obviously also the strength and the ability to make things happen when plays are broken. You can see that with this Outback Bowl run.

Now Hurd’s breakaway speed has been questioned, as his longest run was only 48 yards on the year. But usually Kamara was brought in when big gains like that were expected. He still runs hard and at full speed and rarely loses yards unless it’s a terrible play call from the shotgun.

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All this is to say that as long as Hurd stays healthy, he could set school records for single season rushing and career rushing this year if he keeps up his improvement pace.

And if that leads the Vols to any championships, he will have supplanted himself as the greatest running back in Tennessee football history.

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