“Sky Is The Limit” For Vols Running Back
By Zach Ragan
Tennessee Volunteers running backs coach Robert Gillespie has a couple of shiny new toys to play with this year.
One of those toys, early enrollee Jalen Hurd from Hendersonville, TN (Beech), was the subject of Gillespie’s praise on Tuesday.
GILLESPIE on @SportsAnimal99: @MrHurd_1 has opened all of our eyes, the sky is the limit for him. At RB, he change direction and bend.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) June 25, 2014
GILLESPIE on @SportsAnimal99: @MrHurd_1 came in a very focused young man. He wanted to come in a prove he belonged and he did.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) June 25, 2014
GILLESPIE: @MrHurd_1 has picked up on pass protection quickly. His willingness was there from Day 1. He’s not afraid of contact.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) June 25, 2014
Hurd, who was rated as a five-star recruit out of high school, was the prized signee of the Vols’ 2013 recruiting class. The 6’3″/230 lb running back is expected to give Tennessee a dominant between the tackles rusher that can wear down opposing SEC defenses.
Despite what the staff at USC believes, Hurd is a strong, physical runner that will be the perfect complement to the shifty Marlin Lane this upcoming season. The duo will provide the Vols with a diverse rushing attack that should be much improved from the last couple of seasons.
One concern that folks have about Hurd is that his size is more along the lines of what you’d expect to see in a linebacker.
But that won’t be an issue for the Tennessee native — he’s a pure running back.
Hurd can play low and elude defenders, just like you’d expect a running back of prototypical size to do . There’s no doubt that he can get the job done.
If Jalen Hurd continues to put in the work, he’ll leave Rocky Top as one of the top players to ever carry the ball for the Vols.
And I think there’s little doubt that this kid will continue to go above and beyond to be the best he can be.