According to a report from Eleven Warriors, former Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd is visiting Ohio State this weekend.
Ohio State was one of the main schools that recruited Hurd when he was still in high school. In fact, the Buckeyes were once considered Hurd’s favorite at the end of his junior season in 2012. Ultimately, however, Hurd chose the Vols over Ohio State and a plethora of other offers.
It’s also worth noting that Hurd’s junior season in Hendersonville was also Meyer’s first season at Ohio State. Since then, Meyer has led the Buckeyes to two College Football Playoff appearances and won the 2014 National Championship. Tennessee, meanwhile, struggled to live up to expectations during the 2016 season and never won a division title while Hurd was on campus.
Hurd expressed interest in switching positions from running back to more of a tight end/wide receiver role when he opened up about his decision to leave Tennessee, so this reported visit to Ohio State is likely more than just a “recruiting” visit. Expect Meyer and his staff to lay out a detailed plan of how Hurd would be utilized in their offense.
Hurd did not put his name forward as an early entry into the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft, meaning he will follow through with his plan of transferring schools rather than leaving college early for the professional ranks.
It is expected Hurd will have to sit out the 2017 season due to NCAA transfer rules if he ends up at any FBS school.
This will mark the second consecutive weekend Hurd has reportedly been on a campus of a Power-5 school. Last week Hurd reportedly visited the University of California-Berkeley, a popular landing spot for other former Vols such as wide receiver Vic Wharton III and head basketball coach Cuonzo Martin.
Hurd finished 444 yards shy of breaking Tennessee’s all-time career rushing mark before announcing his intent to transfer after the South Carolina game in late October.
