After losing on the road against South Carolina, Tennessee’s season of optimism took another sour turn. It may be about to get a little uglier if some reports flying around Monday morning are any indication. Running back Jalen Hurd will reportedly leave the Vols program at the end of the season with the intent of playing a new position and a new school.
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
Hyams went on to clarify that Hurd has not quit the team and will remain a part of the team for the remainder of the year, barring any other unforeseen changes. Hurd’s reason to transfer allegedly stems from displeasure over how he has been used in Tennessee’s offense this season. Of course, Hurd could just as easily enter the NFL Draft next spring, which may be the more likely scenario anyway.
Hurd is Tennessee’s leading rusher with 451 yards in seven games this season. He has scored just three touchdowns on the ground, with two receiving touchdowns among his 10 receptions this season.
There is also some question about the future of defensive end Jonathan Kongo, who also is rumored to be preparing to leave the Vols as well. Kongo shared a rather ominous tweet with a picture of a pair of cleats hanging up with the message “All things must come to an end,” yesterday.
All things must come to an end pic.twitter.com/Zd9YuNLNnD
— Jonathan Kongbo 🇨🇩 (@King_Kongbo) October 30, 2016
Kongbo, a sophomore, has appeared in eight games for the Vols, with just four tackles to show for it.
Things are not going quite according to plan for Butch Jones and the Vols in Knoxville, but there has been no official word these alleged departures will actually happen at this time. Maybe a strong finish to the season will provide a chance to reconsider the options, or maybe Tennessee’s program is starting to show a few cracks in the brick-by-brick foundation.
UPDATE (1:33 p.m. ET)- Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has confirmed Hurd will transfer to another school in 2017. As for Kongbo’s mysterious tweet? Jones claims that was the result of losing in a video game. Alright then.
"He lost in a FIFA game and those were soccer cleats he tweeted out." Butch on Kongbo's tweet.
— Paul Fortenberry (@P_Fortenberry_) October 31, 2016