Ungodly speed would be the 4.29 / 40 a RB put up at the combine yesterday. Jalen hasnt done that. If he had, the UT coaches, fan and company would be taunting that all over creation. BTW, Lane didn't rush for 1K yards.
Lane is a proven SEC back, Jalen is not. Further, Lane is a senior and fully aware this is his do or die year if he has any notion of being drafted. He knows he cant afford half-azzed efforts, off-season prepping, spring prepping, or granite-brained behavior. He knows it's not just Hurd and Scott, but Summerhill and Hill who have displayed ability to produce, will be pushing him for starts. Even Pickett, who if word leaking out is true, could be a secret weapon. If he lets these guys so much as peek through a window of opportunity, hes not starting.
Add to this the fact that last year Neal put in WORK and it showed and kept Lane on the bench for the most part. Neal was in such good shape that Jones left him in a game well beyond what he should have and while he was slightly injured and very fatigued. But Neal kept delivering and not asking for a breather. This lesson isnt lost on Lane so expect him to put in WORK and make it count.
Like nearly everyone here, I have high hopes and faith in Hurd and Scott. I believe we finally have the RBs we used to in days of old. Big and fast guys who were a threat every time they got the ball. But this doesnt mean throwing a proven SEC back under the bus. I believe that with Lane, The best is yet to come and well see it this season. He fast, shifty, not afraid to hit seams and gaps between the tackles. He catches passes out of the backfield and if he has any decent space to run, he covers big chunks of yardage. Jalen has yet to prove anything at the SEC level, Marlin is already there.