Tennessee Volunteers

Jalen Hurd Transfer: 5 Landing Spots for Tennessee RB

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) scores a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd is transferring from the Volunteers, and these five schools could use him on their respective offenses.

After such a thrilling start to the season for the Tennessee Volunteers, the SEC program has now lost three straight games. Now, the team has taken another huge hit with the news that star running back Jalen Hurd is transferring.

Head coach Butch Jones confirmed on Monday that Hurd will be transferring effective immediately. The Volunteers running back has been dealing with injuries this season, but has played at a high level when on the field, putting up over 500 total yards and five total touchdowns this year.

Perhaps one of the more interesting rumors surrounding Hurd’s transfer is that he may not play running back wherever he winds up next. According to local radio host Jimmy Hyams, Hurd supposedly told teammates he plans to play tight end of wide receiver wherever he plays next season.

Now that Hurd is leaving Tennessee, here are five potential landing spots for the very talented running back.

Apr 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of 2016 NFL Draft logo at Los Angeles Rams draft party at L.A. Live. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. The NFL

Even though Hurd made it clear that he intends to transfer, there’s no guarantee that he plays another down in college. After all, there are many that believe that Hurd has a future in the NFL, and as a junior he is draft eligible.

While he’s not a top-tier draft prospect at the position like Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook, Hurd is still an intriguing name. At 6’4” and 240 pounds, he has the size and strength to pick up tough yards when needed. He may not have elite speed, but his vision and decision making allow him to occasionally make big plays.

Hurd projects best as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 guy if he goes pro. It will mostly depend on a team with the right offensive scheme with a need at the position. The Volunteers running back isn’t going to thrive in a spread, pass-happy offense, but one with a power running scheme that can open up rushing lanes could use this power back.

The fact that Hurd made it clear he intends to transfer means that it might not be likely that he declares for the NFL draft. However, Hurd would be foolish not to keep his options open, and there’s a chance we could hear his name called in April.

Oct 22, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Kevin Wilson in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

4. Indiana Hoosiers

Transferring can be a tricky thing for a running back. Maybe Hurd wants to win a title, or maybe he wants to get some more playing time and boost his draft stock if he wants to wait another year and help his stock while staying away from this loaded class of prospect at the position.

If Hurd is interested in doing the latter, then Indiana could be a great landing spot for him. The Hoosiers have slowly been rebuilding into a respectable program, going to a bowl game last season and going 4-4 to start this year.

Indiana has produced some legitimate NFL running backs the past few seasons in Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. In fact, Howard was a transfer from UAB before breaking out with the Hoosiers and is now making a name for himself with the Chicago Bears.

Getting to play for a decent program that will get some national stages to play on against teams like Michigan and Ohio State could give Hurd a chance to stay relevant in the college football world while putting up some big numbers.

It’s not the most likely landing spot, but Indiana is one that Hurd should at least think about.

Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Airius Moore (58) during the first quarter at Papa John

3. Louisville Cardinals

Just three and a half hours away from Knoxville, there’s a program currently turning into a powerhouse in the ACC with the Louisville Cardinals. If Hurd wants a chance to compete in the College Football Playoff before his college career is over, then Louisville should be near the top of his list of possible transfer locations.

As a senior, Hurd would get the chance to play in the backfield with arguably the most exciting player in college football in Lamar Jackson. The current Heisman Trophy front runner has been fantastic on the ground, but he’ll need another running back to help him out with Brandon Radcliff graduating after this season.

Louisville is no stranger to transfers getting playing time. Just look at promising edge rusher Devonte Fields, who transferred from TCU and has had a big impact on Louisville’s defense.

Hurd would have to accept that Jackson would be the school’s leading rusher, but the chance to make some big plays on a high-flying offense that could compete for a national title would be awfully tempting.

Oct 22, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 41-8. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Michigan Wolverines

Come on, how can anyone not want to play for Jim Harbaugh? The Michigan Wolverines head coach has been a great recruiter for the Wolverines so far, and he could be able to convince Hurd to come to Michigan if both sides are interested.

The Wolverines are going to need to find a replacement for senior running back De’Veon Smith after this season. Freshman Chris Evans has looked promising this season 424 yards on just 53 carries, but coming in at just 200 pounds, Evans isn’t the kind of bruiser at the position that Hurd is.

Hurd could come in and give the Wolverines a dangerous one-two punch at running back for 2017. He’d have to be ok with splitting carries, but that shouldn’t be too big of a problem since he did that with Alvin Kamara this season (unless of course that’s the reason he transferred).

Michigan previously made Hurd an offer coming out of high school, so maybe the two sides would be interested in making Hurd to the Wolverines a reality.

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban runs out onto the field during pregame before their game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

When it comes to college football, there’s not a more appealing place to play than Alabama. Led by Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide are a national title contender year in and year out. If Hurd wants a chance to continue playing in the SEC with a chance to go against his old team. then Alabama has to be the No. 1 spot for him to play.

Alabama has produced massive power backs in the past from Eddie Lacy to Trent Richardson to Derrick Henry. As a similar back, Hurd would get the chance to play on the biggest stage every week with scouts watching him play essentially on a weekly basis.

The biggest hurdle for Hurd would be getting carries in a crowded backfield with Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris. However, Hurd is incredibly talented and could definitely have a chance to prove himself as a major contributor behind an offensive line like the one Alabama has.

Like Michigan, Alabama offered Hurts a chance to play out of high school, and there’s a chance he could wind up playing for Saban. If he does, then the Crimson Tide could have one of the most frightening backfields in all of college football with Hurd, Harris and Scarbrough.