Tennessee transfer Jalen Hurd makes it official, signs with Baylor

On May 28, one of the biggest gets (literally and figuratively) of Matt Rhule’s short time at Baylor will arrive on Baylor’s campus to begin the second, final chapter of his collegiate career.

Jalen Hurd, who played running back at the University of Tennessee for two and a half seasons after enrolling in January of 2014, officially signed his Baylor University scholarship agreement letter on Monday, May 15.

When he announced his departure from the Tennessee program in the midst of the 2016 season, Hurd was averaging 3.7 yards per carry as a running back—nearly a full yard down from his first two seasons. While the rationale behind his departure was initially unknown to the college football world at large, Hurd eventually revealed a desire to move to an offensive scheme that better showcases his abilities outside of the running back position.

Enter Matt Rhule.

While it is hard to speak definitively before Hurd has completed a single workout as a Bear, the general consensus is that Co-Offensive Coordinators Glenn Thomas and Jeff Nixon will utilize the one-time five-star prospect all over the field.

At 6-foot-4 and 240-pounds, Hurd brings the size that is coveted by the Baylor staff, and he has already demonstrated an ability to make plays at the highest level of competition on the football field. Hurd started 29 games at Tennessee and racked up an impressive 2,638 yards at running back in addition to 492 receiving yards. He accounted for 26 touchdowns in his career at Tennessee.

Per NCAA rules, Hurd will participate in team activities this year, but he is ineligible to play on Saturdays until the 2018 season.