Tennessee Vols – Crowded Backfield Is A Good Problem To Have

The Tennessee Vols are two weeks away from culminating their Spring Practice with the Orange and White Game. One of the many positive things Vol fans will see is just how good newcomer running back Alvin Kamara really is. This guy can start for any NCAA team in the country tomorrow. He is that good.

The problem for him is that he when he looks to either his right or left in his position meetings he is staring at Sophomore Jalen Hurd. Hurd was instrumental in Tennessee’s resurgence last season. As a freshman Hurd ran for 899 tough yards on 190 carries. He also showed what a great athlete he is by catching 35 passes for another 221 yards. He scored 5 touchdowns on the ground, and 2 through the air. Not bad for a freshman behind the most inexperienced offensive line in the entire country.

Kamara is 5’11” and 210 pounds. Hurd is 6’3″ and 230 pounds. They could not be more different. Their running styles are different as well.

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Kamara has a little of everything in his arsenal.  I hate to say this, but he is a typical “Alabama” style running back. He originally was recruited and signed by the Tide 2 years ago. When things went bad for him there he transferred out to a Junior College in Kansas where he quickly became the best running back at the JUCO level.

Kamara is now a “Tennessee” style running back. Fans will see that although Alvin is a powerful running back, he is just as shifty as well. He is simply hard to tackle. He is fast. Real fast. That speed translates onto the field when in pads. That is so important on Saturdays. Many backs display their speed in shorts and t shirts. This guy is fast in pads.

Alvin runs with great instincts, balance, and vision. He can run between the tackles or he can get to the edge. He can also out run defensive backs to the end zone. He will be fun to watch.

Jalen is different in a similar kind of way. What does that mean? Hurd also runs with great instinct, balance and vision. If you want to see balance go to the South Carolina game and look at the fourth down touchdown reception Hurd scored. It was the play of the year for the Vols in my opinion.

Here is the difference. Hurd arrives angry. He is an extremely physical running back. He runs with a little more upright style which is due to his 6’3″ frame. He does have that “Johnny Majors Body Lean” though that helps him finish his runs in a violent fashion. You don’t see Hurd going backwards many times when he is hit. He normally fall forward for another yard after contact is initiated.

Hurd also has surprising speed on game day. He can get to the edge as well, but quite honestly is much more effective in my opinion between the tackles. He was described by many early on as a Eddie George style running back. I did not see it at first, but as the season progressed I saw more of that. The biggest difference there is that Hurd is a weapon out of the backfield catching the ball. I would love to see him continue getting his hands on the ball in the passing game as much as they can.

I will take Hurd in a one on one with a full head of steam against an opposing cornerback on every play of the game if possible. I am sure they will keep that as part of every game plan every Saturday.

The one thing that bothers me just a little is that Hurd seems to be a back that gets better with each carry he gets in the game. Many great backs are this way. Last year Marlin Lane spelled Hurd. Nothing against Lane, but he is no Kamara.

So will it be a problem for Coach Jones? It will be tough early on to find that balance. There is no doubt.

However, it is a great problem to have for Jones. It is also a blessing for Hurd and Kamara. The rigors of an SEC season are daunting. These guys take a beating each Saturday. The fact that these two guys will be interchangeable will keep them fresher and save their bodies each game. It will extend their careers.

This is not high school any more. The object for these two guys will be to win the SEC East this season. These two will help greatly toward that goal, and they will both contribute greatly toward that goal. Jones will see to that.

So fans will get to see what I am talking about in two weeks. Kamara is running as the number one running back right now. This is huge for him. By taking most of the snaps he will be ready in the Fall. Hurd has been practicing with the team but is not receiving any contact this Spring. Hurd will be ready to go in the Fall. Both of these guys will be ready. The opposing team’s defense better be ready as well.