Ohio State Football: 5-Star RB Target Jalen Hurd Verbally Commits to Tennessee

On February 5, 2013—the eve of national signing day—Ohio State coach Urban Meyer shared his thoughts on recruiting to a group of more than 1,500 people at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

Meyer addressed a variety of topics, including prospects who pledge to a particular school early in the recruiting process, "When you hear 'early commit'...in the real lingo that means you're in the final three."

In the case of 5-star running back Jalen Hurd (according to 247Sports.com), Meyer certainly hopes that's the case. 

Hurd, one of Ohio State's top targets in the 2014 recruiting cycle, announced via Twitter on Thursday that he was verbally committing to Butch Jones and the Tennessee Volunteers.

"

I have officially committed to play football at The University of Tennessee. #VFL #RiseToTheTop

— Jalen Hurd (@MrHurd18) March 14, 2013"

The commitment took many by surprise as most thought Ohio State was the favorite to land the 5-star prospect out of Hendersonville, Tenn. Hurd threw everyone a curve ball on Tuesday when he committed to the home-state school, especially this early in the recruiting process. 

Hurd burst onto the recruiting scene with a massive junior season in 2012, rushing for 3,357 yards and 43 touchdowns. He capped his remarkable junior campaign with a 394-yard, seven-touchdown performance in the state title game.

No one expects Meyer to give up on recruiting Hurd because of his pledge to Tennessee, and with 11 months to work with, Ohio State shouldn't be counted out. 

Watch highlights from Hurd's junior season below.

David Regimbal is the lead Ohio State football writer for Bleacher Report. 
Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.