You’d think at this point everyone would have learned their lesson. After all, we have had to deal with multiple quarterbacks being asked if they were going to play quarterback after being a quarterback for their entire career. There was a chance we would have to go through it again with Jalen Hurts. The same Jalen Hurts who put the following stats in college:
After compiling nearly 9,500 passing yards, 80 touchdowns, and a 38-4 overall record during his career, it’s time to stop asking Jalen Hurts questions about it – He’s a Quarterback
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) February 26, 2020
The response says it all. People were still asking if Hurts was going to focus on being a quarterback in the NFL. It looked like Hurts was being disrespected as many before him have been treated in the same manner. We’ve done this dance before and it’s time for that dance to stop. Thankfully, it looks like that’s happening.
Despite speculation, no NFL team requested Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts to perform combine drills at any position other than quarterback, sources tell me and @RapSheet. One to watch in tomorrow’s primetime throwing session.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 26, 2020
If NFL teams don’t want to work Hurts out at another position then the conversation can stop there. It’s not like former players didn’t already know that Hurts should be looked at as a signal-caller and as that only.
Ay Jalen Hurts, you passed for 9,500 yards as a QUARTERBACK.
When these scouts bring up you playing other positions I hope you tell em, “nah, I’m good!” @GetUpESPN @AgentNicoleLynn @JalenHurts pic.twitter.com/Eyc8NGOM8E— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) February 25, 2020
We had to deal with questions if Kyler Murray was tall enough to play quarterback in the NFL. He won the Heisman, brought Oklahoma to the College Football Playoffs, and is a freak athlete. All he did was win the rookie of the year.
We had to deal with Lamar Jackson being asked if he was OK moving to wide receiver. He also won a Heisman and brought Louisville to heights it had never seen before. All he did was win the 2020 NFL MVP.
Now, Jalen Hurts isn’t as good of a quarterback prospect as Murray or Jackson. He has some holes in his game. His arm strength isn’t great and his accuracy isn’t as good as Tua Tagovailoa or Joe Burrow. He’s not going to be a first-day draft pick. He’s still a good quarterback, a great locker room presence, and a winner.
Hurts will be a perfectly capable backup and could end up being a good starter if put in the right situation. The good news is that Hurts’ leadership skills are unquestionable. He always makes sure to note he is a team player. For everything he can’t do, he can do a lot of things better than other quarterbacks in this draft. He’s a threat as a runner. He rarely makes mistakes with the football. He has experience in the spread offense.
That could be his biggest selling point. As professional teams take more concepts from the college game, Hurts is as plug and play there as it gets. He learned under Lincoln Riley who coached the past two No. 1 picks in the 2018 and 2019 draft respectively. Before Riley, he played in a spread style offense in Alabama. He knows what he’s doing as a quarterback in an open offensive gameplan.
It’s plain and simple. Hurts has won consistently as a starter. He’s played with big-play receivers and knows how to get them the football. He’ll sacrifice for the betterment of the team. He’s a quarterback. NFL teams seem to think he’s a quarterback. Everyone else should figure that out as well.