College Football: 10 Bold Predictions for Spring Practice

Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) stiff arms Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Jordan Lomax (27) in the first quarter of their 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurd won’t be the best player in the Vols backfield

In a conference that stars Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, and the duo of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins at Arkansas, the backfield tandem of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara is exceptionally overlooked. Both were top five Running Back’s in their respective classes but had vastly different paths to Knoxville.

Hurd took the ordinary route and was recruited straight from high school, while Kamara did the same at Alabama, was kicked off the team, played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, and then transferred back to the SEC.

The two backs are polar opposites in terms of measurables and skill sets. Hurd is an imposing back who is also still very fluid, similar to a Le’Veon Bell while Kamara is a bit smaller but has the breakaway speed that Hurd can’t offer.

I’m a big fan of Hurd, but Kamara is a special back who was the top JUCO player last year.  I don’t think there will be a clear-cut starter by the fall, but I expect Kamara to outplay Hurd in Spring practice and see more carries this season.

Next: Replacing Hundley at UCLA