Tennessee head coach Butch Jones confirmed the circulating rumors about junior running back Jalen Hurd during his weekly Monday press conference. Rumors had it that Hurd was planning on transferring from the University of Tennessee, and Jones confirmed the news as true.
Hurd came into this season needing only 891 rushing yards to finish atop Tennessee’s career rushing mark. He’ll finish 440 yards short of that mark after a disappointing junior campaign saw him rush for just 451 yards on 122 carries this season.
Butch Jones clarified Hurd’s decision wasn’t made because of promises from the coaching staff during the offseason. Jones says his choice to transfer was “a long combination of things” but reiterated he valued their relationship and wished him the best.
Jones also noted Hurd was injured during the South Carolina game and that’s why he wasn’t on the field in the second half.
Jones also confirmed defense lineman Jonathan Kongbo is staying with the Vols despite a cryptic tweet on Sunday. Jones said the tweet was about Kongbo losing a game in FIFA Soccer, a popular video game.
Injury Notes
Butch Jones confirmed that sophomore defensive tackle Shy Tuttle will miss the rest of the season after an injury he sustained against South Carolina. A report surfaced on Sunday that Tuttle was done for the year after taking a hit to the leg against the Gamecocks, and Jones confirmed the sophomore will be out for the rest of the year. Jones didn’t specify what the injury was or any timetable for recovery.
Jones also stated that running back Alvin Kamara is “questionable” for the Kentucky game on November 12th. Kamara won’t play against Tennessee Tech per Jones, and his status is in the air for Tennessee’s third-to-last game of the season against the Wildcats as well.
