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Much of the news about the Tennessee Volunteers that’s swirling around the Internet isn’t optimism-inducing. Since the Vols took a disappointing and relatively inexcusable loss to South Carolina over the weekend, the rumor mill has been intensifying with news about transfers, walkouts, and a players only meeting that apparently took place on Sunday night.
While that is all going on, in the interim, there appears to be substantial news arising. Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd is reportedly on his way out of the Tennessee program according to a report starting out of WNML Radio in Knoxville.
BREAKING: Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd will transfer, according to WNML in Knoxville (confirmed by @ClowESPN)
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) October 31, 2016
Hurd has 451 rush yards this year pic.twitter.com/RM7eNP24sD
Jimmy Hyams of WNML was the first to report the news roughly two hours ago and indicated that Hurd will no longer be a running back, but instead plans on being a wide receiver or a tight end.
Sources: Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd told teammates last night he plans to transfer and play receiver or tight end at his new school
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) October 31, 2016
The reason for this transfer is reportedly due to frustrations with how he’s being used and the scheme that the Vols have in place.
Hurd has been upset at the way he has been used in Tennessee's zone-read scheme
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) October 31, 2016
If this is it for Hurd, he leaves after having a pretty productive career in Knoxville. The junior running back piled up 2,635 rushing yards and 3,127 yards from scrimmage with 26 total touchdowns.
UPDATE (12:19 p.m. ET): Butch Jones confirms the news that Jalen Hurd will transfer at his weekly press conference.
Butch Jones: "Jalen has informed me he intends to transfer. I support him on that."
— Brandon Zimmerman (@BZSEC) October 31, 2016