You’d think with the amount of money and analytics floating around the NFL, folks would learn from their mistakes faster than they typically do. Yet, the league is making the same exact mistake they did at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine when it comes to Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.
As Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson experienced in the lead up to the 2018 NFL Draft, the dual-threat Hurts was asked if he would be willing to change positions if asked to by a team. He remained defiant in front of reporters that he’s a quarterback. This comes nearly a week after his trainer Chip Smith confirmed he would only run quarterback drills at the combine, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Jalen Hurts on if he’d change positions if asked by an NFL team: I’m a team first guy, but I’m a quarterback. pic.twitter.com/RGxN0QImNu
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) February 25, 2020
Jackson is fresh off winning the NFL’s MVP award thanks to leading the league in passing touchdowns, TD% and rushing yards by a quarterback. He showed great improvement as a passer while being the most dynamic and exciting player on the ground. You’d think the NFL would be clamoring for someone just like Jackson, which would lead them to Hurts.
Last season for Oklahoma, Hurts completed 69.7% of his 340 attempts for 3,851 yards, 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He also added 1,298 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 233 carries with another 25 yards and a touchdown on two receptions.
It will be interesting to see how Hurts tests at the NFL Scouting Combine and what his 40-yard dash time comes out to. Jackson refused to run the 40-yard dash at either the combine or his Pro Day, helping to further cement his case as a passer first. Maybe with some good drills and times, Hurts will force more people to believe in him as a quarterback.