Vols Football: 5 Most Important Returning Players in 2015

Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs for a short gain during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jalen Hurd, Running Back

There were few freshmen running backs who looked better than Jalen Hurd in 2014, and he only looks to be better as a sophomore.

Hurd was the most highly-anticipated recruit of the 2014 recruiting class for the Vols, and despite Tennessee’s offensive line woes, Hurd largely delivered on his vast potential as a freshman.

In 2014, Hurd ran for 899 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught 35 passes for 221 yards and 2 scores. He had four 100-yard rushing games, which were the most 100-yard games for a Vols freshman running back since Jamal Lewis in 1997. His 899 rushing yards were 3rd best among Vol freshman backs, behind only James Stewart (908 in 1991) and Jamal Lewis (1,364 in 1997).

And Hurd did all that despite not playing most of the Chattanooga and Vanderbilt games.

The only reason Hurd is not higher up on this list is because his unit got a big boost in the 2015 recruiting class when JUCO running back and former Alabama back Alvin Kamara signed with the Vols. Kamara will likely take away some carries from Hurd, but Hurd will welcome the break from carrying the load in the running game.

Hurd has massive upside, and he put some of that on display as a freshman. If he can continue to develop his field vision and continue to be a weapon in the passing game, Hurd could be one of the better running backs to ever play for the Vols.

With brutal strength and surprising speed for his size, Hurd impressed many in 2014. But he’s poised to be one of the best offensive weapons in what looks to be a loaded Tennessee offense in 2015 when he returns as a sophomore.