“I met with Jalen Hurd this morning and we had a conversation and I have a great relationship with Jalen. He has informed me he intends to transfer and I support him on that,” Jones said during his news conference. “I am very, very thankful for everything he has done for our football program, but it’s all about our football program and our football team and moving forward from this point forward.”
Hurd has told teammates he wants to play tight end or wide receiver for another program, radio station WNML in Knoxville, Tenn., reported.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Hurd has had an injury-plagued season and did not play in the second half of Saturday’s 24-21 upset loss to South Carolina — the Volunteers’ third straight defeat that knocked them out of the polls. Hurd left the game for an unspecified injury, and rushed for just 16 yards on eight carries.
For the season, Hurd has rushed for 451 yards and three touchdowns on 122 carries, with 81 receiving yards and two TDs on 10 catches.
In 2015, Hurd rushed for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns, with 22 catches for 190 yards and two scores.
Hurd is the third player to leave the Volunteers this season. Defensive lineman Danny O’Brien was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules and wide receiver Preston Williams was granted his release to transfer.
The Volunteers (5-3, 2-2 SEC) trail first-place Florida by two games in the SEC East.