Former Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd visiting Ohio State
With the NFL no longer an option for next season, former Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd is ramping up his transfer tour.
In the middle of this past season, running back Jalen Hurd abruptly left the Tennessee Volunteers football team. Reported concerns about offensive scheme and injuries, along with a desire for a position switch, seemed to drive Hurd’s decision to move on.
Hurd could have declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, and reportedly was considering doing so. But the early declaration deadline passed earlier this month, and right on cue Hurd reportedly visited Cal last weekend. He’s on another visit this weekend, in a different region of the country.
According to Cleveland.com, Hurd is visiting Ohio State this weekend. At first glance the Buckeyes don’t have a great need at running back, with Mike Weber topping 1,000 rushing yards with nine touchdowns on the ground as a redshirt freshman last season. But Curtis Samuel (771 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season) did declare for the NFL draft this year, and the Buckeyes could be looking to add to their backfield stable.
If Hurd graduates from school before this summer, he could play for Ohio State (or any other school) immediately as a graduate transfer next season. But it seems more likely he would transfer and sit out next season, then have one season of eligibility left in 2018.
Hurd’s desire to move to tight end or wide receiver may be a factor in Urban Meyer’s interest in him. Former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller switched to wide receiver for his final college season, and despite a small sample of work at the new position the Houston Texans took him in the third round (85th overall) of the 2016 draft.
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Miller’s experience may be on Hurd’s mind as he visits Columbus, assuming he’s still serious about moving to a new position at a new school. No matter what though, Hurd appears to be ramping up his search for a new school and leaving no stone unturned.