This is gathered from the Volquest staff - As we’ve posted earlier, here’s what we know heading into noon and Butch Jones’ press conference:
Jalen Hurd stayed after the team meeting last night and met with select players. In that discussion he explained his plans of wishing to leave the program and find a program that will help him develop as a tight end.
Why go from tight end to running back? Some NFL people have let it be known this fall to Hurd and some close to him that he should seriously explore that route if he wants to improve his stock.
The expectation among those that were in that meeting, and from some in the staff, was that Jalen Hurd’s time as a Tennessee football player was over.
But, this morning, we have it from multiple sources that Hurd has had conversations with Butch Jones about his future, both in this program or in another. We aren’t sure those conversations are finalized by the time Jones meets with the media. They could have more talks later today.
It will be interesting to see how Jones addresses the Hurd situation at noon.
So, the question that most are wondering are, how did we get here?
Going back as far as bowl preparations, Hurd and those around him had expressed concern about how he was being used in Tennessee’s offense despite the prolific season he had. Basically, they were concerned about how he fit in an offense that didn’t use him in any pro-style looks (h-back, behind the QB, pistol, etc.)
It was more than a coincidence that Tennessee showed a lead blocker look consistently against Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.
Since there was a lot of success from that formation, it was evident coming into the season Tennessee was planning to use that more, both because it worked so well in the bowl game and because it helped Hurd develop his game.
In Tennessee’s game against Appalachian State, the Vols were either under center or in the pistol nine times in the first half. We’re not sure they have done that nine times since the opener.
It’s true, throughout the season Hurd picked up his fair share of bumps and bruises, but tension has been building, especially since the Georgia game when Hurd didn’t play the majority of the second half.
Heading into the South Carolina game, the winning was helping to mask what seemed to be some frustration from Hurd in how Tennessee continued to use him. Some will ask, 'Why is all of this just coming out?' The reality is no one was discussing, or wanted to discuss this, because of the Vols' success. It wasn't a topic of discussion because the Vols were in real contention be in Atlanta the first weekend of December.
On the other side, some within the program questioned his commitment level.
That came to a head Saturday night after the Vols’ loss to South Carolina when Hurd didn’t play in the second half. Multiple people in and around the program have told us they believed Hurd not playing had little to do with injury.
That led to Sunday night’s meeting and where we are now. The question now is, is Jalen now a part of the program today and moving forward? And, if he wants to transfer, what are his options?
Can he graduate and move to another FBS program? Or does he have to transfer down?
If for some reason he decides he wants to remain a part of the program, how would he be received by his teammates and how does Butch Jones manage that?
Jalen Hurd stayed after the team meeting last night and met with select players. In that discussion he explained his plans of wishing to leave the program and find a program that will help him develop as a tight end.
Why go from tight end to running back? Some NFL people have let it be known this fall to Hurd and some close to him that he should seriously explore that route if he wants to improve his stock.
The expectation among those that were in that meeting, and from some in the staff, was that Jalen Hurd’s time as a Tennessee football player was over.
But, this morning, we have it from multiple sources that Hurd has had conversations with Butch Jones about his future, both in this program or in another. We aren’t sure those conversations are finalized by the time Jones meets with the media. They could have more talks later today.
It will be interesting to see how Jones addresses the Hurd situation at noon.
So, the question that most are wondering are, how did we get here?
Going back as far as bowl preparations, Hurd and those around him had expressed concern about how he was being used in Tennessee’s offense despite the prolific season he had. Basically, they were concerned about how he fit in an offense that didn’t use him in any pro-style looks (h-back, behind the QB, pistol, etc.)
It was more than a coincidence that Tennessee showed a lead blocker look consistently against Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.
Since there was a lot of success from that formation, it was evident coming into the season Tennessee was planning to use that more, both because it worked so well in the bowl game and because it helped Hurd develop his game.
In Tennessee’s game against Appalachian State, the Vols were either under center or in the pistol nine times in the first half. We’re not sure they have done that nine times since the opener.
It’s true, throughout the season Hurd picked up his fair share of bumps and bruises, but tension has been building, especially since the Georgia game when Hurd didn’t play the majority of the second half.
Heading into the South Carolina game, the winning was helping to mask what seemed to be some frustration from Hurd in how Tennessee continued to use him. Some will ask, 'Why is all of this just coming out?' The reality is no one was discussing, or wanted to discuss this, because of the Vols' success. It wasn't a topic of discussion because the Vols were in real contention be in Atlanta the first weekend of December.
On the other side, some within the program questioned his commitment level.
That came to a head Saturday night after the Vols’ loss to South Carolina when Hurd didn’t play in the second half. Multiple people in and around the program have told us they believed Hurd not playing had little to do with injury.
That led to Sunday night’s meeting and where we are now. The question now is, is Jalen now a part of the program today and moving forward? And, if he wants to transfer, what are his options?
Can he graduate and move to another FBS program? Or does he have to transfer down?
If for some reason he decides he wants to remain a part of the program, how would he be received by his teammates and how does Butch Jones manage that?
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