Jalen Hurts has gone from being a misunderstood NFL Draft pick to quickly becoming a favorite to become the Eagles’ backup quarterback behind Carson Wentz. Not only that, but he’s also projected to have a few starts this season.
Just a few months ago, Hurts was a guy that came in very underrated and even misunderstood.
Even in a press conference at the end of July, Hurts was still trying to make it clear: he’s an NFL quarterback:
“I’ve played quarterback my whole, entire life, and I’m here just trying to grow at that position. Trying to take steps and be the best quarterback I can be for this team.
I don’t look into the expectations. I don’t worry about those things. I’m worried about just getting better as a quarterback every day. That’s what I’m worried about.
I mean, I don’t want to get into the semantics of those things. I’m just worried about improving. I’ve said it three times and I don’t want to come off or come across any way, I’m just trying to improve every day. I’m just trying to be the best quarterback I can be every day for this team.”
And according to many reports, Jalen Hurts has done just that, and more.
The latest person to rave about Hurts?
ESPN analyst Damien Woody who had this to say about Hurts:
“Jalen Hurts will start multiple games this year for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Woody said. “I know people were surprised when Jalen went in the second round. But this is a young man who’s played a lot of winning football between Alabama and Oklahoma. We’ve seen the injuries to the offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles and I think Jalen Hurts will come in some time for the injured Carson Wentz, and start some games for the Philadelphia Eagles.”
"Jalen Hurts will start multiple games this year for the Philadelphia Eagles."
—@damienwoody's bold prediction pic.twitter.com/BBtBGgkxKc
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 10, 2020
It makes sense.
Wentz has a history of injuries, and Hurts has a history of going in as a backup and stealing the show.
If you saw Hurts play at Alabama or Oklahoma, this doesn’t surprise you.
It’s who Hurts is.
Hard working, humble, and talented.
And very underrated and often under appreciated.
But Hurts just keeps going.
Simply put, Jalen Hurts could become a key offensive leader and over time, the next Eagles starting quarterback.
Hurts finished the 2019 season at Oklahoma with a career-high 3,851 yards passing, as well as a career-high 32 passing TDs. He added a career-best 1,298 yards rushing and career-high 20 rushing touchdowns.
In his college career at Alabama and Oklahoma, Hurts recorded almost 9,500 passing yards and 80 touchdowns along with almost 3,300 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns.
Hurts won a national championship, SEC championship and Big 12 championship during his career. He was also named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year this past season, as well as the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]