Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd has told the school he plans to transfer, Volunteers coach Butch Jones said Monday.
"Jalen has informed me that he intends to transfer, and I support him on that," Jones said. "I'm very, very thankful for everything that he's 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's plans to transfer were first reported by radio station WNML in Knoxville, Tennessee. The radio station also reported that Hurd, who is 6-foot-4, wants to switch positions and will attempt to play wide receiver or tight end at a new school.
Jalen Hurd intends to transfer from Tennessee.Jim Brown/USA TODAY Sports
Jones said he met with Hurd on Monday morning and discussed the situation.
Hurd, a junior, has had an injury-plagued season and didn't play in the second half of Saturday's 24-21 loss to South Carolina.
In 2015 he rushed for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had two receiving touchdowns.
Sources close to Hurd have been saying for a year or more that he preferred to play in an I-formation offense.
The loss of Hurd would limit Tennessee's options in its rushing attack, as the Vols also are missing Alvin Kamara, who sat out the South Carolina game with an unspecified injury.
Jones said Kamara also won't play Saturday against Football Championship Subdivision program Tennessee Tech (3-5) and is questionable to return Nov. 12 against Kentucky. Jones also noted that defensive tackle Shy Tuttle will miss the remainder of the season with an unspecified injury.
Kamara's absence likely means that sophomore John Kelly will be Tennessee's main running back this week. Kelly ran for a team-high 94 yards on 14 carries against South Carolina and has rushed for 209 yards on 33 attempts this season.
"Obviously he will gain a greater role in our offense," Jones said. "He's an individual who's earned this opportunity. You talk about dynamics of leadership, he's one of the leaders of this football team. His energy. His passion. He was one of the most vocal players we had last night in my individual meetings with some guys. You talk about asserting your will on a football team, he's very, very passionate."