Why It's Crucial Brady Hoke and Michigan Land 4-Star RB Jalen Hurd

Brady Hoke and the Michigan Wolverines have a golden opportunity to grab one of the most dynamic offensive players in the 2014 college football recruiting class: 4-star running back Jalen Hurd.

Hurd already has offers from some of the biggest programs in the country, and he's got schools such as Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State on top of his list. He also has Michigan near the top of his list though, and according to Todd Worly of 247Sports.com, the Wolverines are very interested in the junior back:

"

“They said to just know that they’re still looking at me, that I’m at the top of their list and that I should come down and visit sometime,” Hurd said.

Hurd plans to make his final decision next fall after taking his official visits, and expects Michigan to remain in the mix.

“Definitely,” Hurd said. “Just because of the history, the tradition and how much interest they have in me. It’s a great program, and I’m sure that’s probably the most historically successful program in football. They’ve had a lot of greats come through there, and it really speaks for itself.”

"

If the Wolverines can successfully recruit Hurd, it would be one of the biggest recruiting wins in Hoke's short time as the Michigan head man, if not the biggest.

Hurd already has the size to be a dominant back in college football at 6'3'', 210 pounds. The kicker is, he runs with the speed and agility of a smaller back. He's also athletic enough to line up at wide receiver and beat the corner, and he has very good hands. Hurd has everything that you look for in a premier college football running back, and that's something Michigan hasn't had in their backfield in quite a while.

On it's own, just getting Hurd would be enough of a recruiting win, but when you factor in that getting him to sign with the Wolverines would keep him away from the likes of Alabama or even worse, Ohio State, and that would make his commitment a home run for Hoke.

Like it or not, Ohio State is back on the rise with Urban Meyer recruiting, and we've seen how Michigan stacks up with the SEC. If Hoke can get this kid to sign with him, he would be essentially be keeping him away from his rivals.

Hurd has SEC running back written all over him, but if Hoke can bring him into Michigan, he just may be able to change the perspective of Wolverine football. Plus, any day a recruit signs with Michigan over Ohio State is a good day, right, Michigan fans?

In this case, it would be a great day, because believe you me, Hurd is the real deal.

Hoke and the Wolverines need to do everything they can to bring him into the fold, because he's going to be a game-changer both on the field and for Michigan recruiting.