Ex-Vol Hurd discusses reasons for departure via Twitter

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Former Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd says he had ''multiple injuries'' this year, including a concussion, and that he left the Volunteers in part to play for an offense that better suits his talents.

Hurd tweeted Sunday night to explain his decision to leave Tennessee. Vols coach Butch Jones announced last Monday that Hurd intends to transfer .

The junior from Hendersonville said ''it was not a decision made rashly but one I have been thinking about for quite some time.''

''Coming to Tennessee, I understood the read option offense may not be the best fit for me, but I put that aside for my love for Tennessee and wanting to be part of a beloved program,'' Hurd said. ''While I had hoped for scheme adjustments to suit my strengths, this did not happen on a consistent enough basis. This did have a factor in my decision, as I want to play in an offensive scheme that highlights my abilities to run but also expands to allow me to show my abilities to catch the ball and be a mismatch for defenses.''

Hurd also said he had multiple injuries ''that were not and should not have been disclosed,'' including a concussion that prevented him from playing in a 45-38 double-overtime loss at Texas A&M last month. Tennessee officials didn't specify the nature of Hurd's injury when they announced that Hurd wouldn't play against the Aggies.

Tennessee officials didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Hurd added that ''I want to say thank you to the University of Tennessee for everything it did for me. Tennessee has and always will be my home.''

Hurd had rushed for 2,638 yards in his three-year Tennessee career, putting him 440 yards shy of Travis Henry's 16-year-old school record. Hurd ran for a team-high 451 yards while averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season.

He finished his Tennessee career with 26 total touchdowns (20 rushing, six receiving). Hurd had 67 career catches for 492 yards, including 10 receptions for 81 yards this season.

Tennessee (6-3, 2-3 SEC) hosts Kentucky (5-4, 4-3) on Saturday.

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This story has been corrected in the final paragraph to show Tennessee is 6-3 overall and 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference.