In a recent Fox Sports article by Cory McCartney, Tennessee true freshman running back Jalen Hurd is listed among first-year players who could potentially compete for the Heisman Trophy.
JALEN HURD, RB TENNESSEE
In contrast to the fanfare surrounding Fournette, Volunteers running backs coach is being a little more realistic with Hurd, saying like week “I have to remind him where he has to be. He’s not Superman. He’s an 18-year-old kid just like anybody else. He still makes mistakes.” The four-star back is poised to see plenty of carries in a backfield that returns Marlin Lane (1,472 yards in three seasons), with both getting time with the first team in training camp. At 6-3 he makes for a rare mix as reports from Tennessee’s early scrimmage has him showing surprising second-level speed for a bigger back. It’s going to be difficult to make headway in a division that includes Heisman candidates Mike Davis (South Carolina) and Todd Gurley (Georgia), and running behind a line with five new starters, but Hurd is intriguing.
Hurd was rated a five-star running back out of high school by both Rivals and 247sports. He has good size; Hurd is listed on the current UT roster at 6-foot-3, 227 pounds and is expected to get substantial action this season backing up senior Marlin Lane.
Forum discussion: Hurd included in freshmen that could vie for Heisman