Former Tennessee, Baylor star Jalen Hurd signs with Patriots

The Patriots signed an intriguing prospect, Monday, with the team bringing Jalen Hurd. He’s the one-time Tennessee running back who transferred to Baylor to play receiver.

Bill Belichick signed him as a receiver after bringing in Hurd for a tryout earlier Monday. But Jalen Hurd will have to shake off two years of rust during training camp if he’s going to make the Patriots. That’s because Hurd hasn’t been in football since early 2021.

Oh my, Jalen Hurd is back in the league — 6-5, 230 stud when healthy but back injury and knee injuries have kept him off the field — SF 2019 3rd round pick (#67) — #BigGreenNotebook📗favorite https://t.co/OFtyb8K6P9

— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) July 25, 2023

The 49ers selected him as a receiver in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. But he injured his back during preseason and the 49ers placed him on injured reserve for the season. By 2020, he tore his ACL in his knee. That kept him out the entire year. Then in 2021, there were additional knee issues, so Hurd and the 49ers agreed to an injury settlement and San Francisco waived him.

And now, Jalen Hurd ended up on the opposite side of the country to revive his football career. The Patriots were looking for a receiver to bring into camp. After all, New England reportedly was in on DeAndre Hopkins, who eventually signed with the Titans. The Patriots invited seven free agents to try out during a Monday session. They signed Hurd and linebacker Diego Fagot.

Jalen Hurd does have a decent shot at making the Patriots. The team has 10 receivers now under contract. The team signed former Steeler/Chief JuJu Smith-Schuster in the offseason. The other three likely locks are DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton. Coincidentally, Thornton, like Hurd, is a former Baylor Bear.

Jalen Hurd signed with Tennessee as a five-star tailback

Bill Belichick loves versatile players. And Jalen Hurd, most definitely, is versatile. The five-star prospect signed with Tennessee in 2014 when Butch Jones was the head coach. He was the top college prospect in the state of Tennessee after setting several state high school rushing records. He earned a starting spot as a freshman. But by his sophomore season, he split carries with future NFL star Alvin Kamara. Still, Hurd rushed for 1,158 yards, the best season performance by a Vols back since 2007.

But Hurd left Knoxville at midseason of his junior year. His career line at Tennessee — 2,638 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns; 67 receptions, 492 yards, and six scores.

He transferred to Baylor as he switched schools, conferences and offensive positions. He earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award for his one season in Waco.