On Tuesday at the NFL Combine, Jalen Hurts was asked if he’d change positions if he was asked to by an NFL team in which he responded, “I’ve always been a team-first guy, but I think I’m a quarterback. I think that’s that.”
Jalen Hurts didn’t deserve to be asked that question. After all, his stats speak for themselves.
In his career, Hurts has recorded almost 9,500 passing yards and 80 touchdowns, not to mention his almost 3,300 rushing yards to go along with his 43 rushing touchdowns. Simply put, Jalen Hurts is a quarterback, and he is going to prove naysayers wrong in the NFL.
Jalen not only won an SEC Championship, a National Championship, and now a Big 12 Championship, he was also named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year this past season.
But in all honesty, his journey to become a great NFL quarterback started at Alabama.
Jalen went 26-2 as a starter at Alabama. His freshman stats were impeccable: He threw for 2,780 yards, 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions, while also rushing for 954 yards and 13 touchdowns. He then went on to finish his sophomore season with 2,081 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and one interception, as well as 855 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
When you take a moment to realize that in 2 seasons, Hurts had a combined total of 4,861 yards passing, 1,809 yards rushing, 40 TDs, 10 INT, and 21 rushing touchdowns, it’s mind blowing.
But it wasn’t just the yards passing, yards rushing, or amount of touchdowns he threw that showcased his ability to be an NFL quarterback. It was more than that. It was WHO he was. It was how he led, and what type of teammate he was.
Tua Tagovailoa took over the reigns as QB1 after a miraculous 2nd and 26 TD pass to win the 2017 national championship. When that happened, Hurts didn’t pitch a fit, quit, or immediately transfer. No. Hurts made a decision to stay at Alabama his junior year to continue to grow and develop, while also being an incredible teammate. He was not only the first to congratulate Tagovailoa on throwing a TD pass, his choice to stay and improve his skill set paid off when he had to go in for an injured Tagovailoa in the 2018 SEC Championship. Hurts would lead Alabama to a 35-28 comeback.
That was the cherry on top for Jalen Hurts. Not only did he put up impressive numbers while at Alabama, he showed humility and hunger. He showed how he had continued to develop and improve every season.
In all honesty, his junior year showed the type of person he was. A person who was willing to learn, grow, and become a better player and teammate. He was coachable. He was a team player. Hurts not only left Alabama champion, he left a legend, because of who he was.
Fast forward to this past season.
Jalen Hurts was the starting quarterback for Oklahoma. Not only did he win over the hearts of every coach, player, and fan in Alabama, he did the same in the state of Oklahoma.
Not only did he lead Oklahoma to a BIG 12 Championship, he led them to the CFB Playoff. Although the Sooners lost to LSU, Hurts still finished the season with a career high 3,851 yards passing, as well as a career high 32 passing TDs. Not to mention a career 1,298 yards rushing to go along with yet ANOTHER career high, 20 rushing touchdowns.
It’s more than just the stats. It’s who he is. Jalen Hurts is a fantastic leader, teammate, and has proven that he is willing to fight for a shot. He’s shown a consistent improvement throughout his career, and has a work ethic unlike any other. He’s full of humility, determination, and drive.
Simply put, Jalen Hurts is a quarterback. And he will make a great NFL quarterback.
So, would Jalen change positions if he had to? Yes. He would. That’s the type of person and teammate he is, but he shouldn’t have to.
Jalen Hurts is going to prove he belongs in the NFL, and just like he did in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and in Norman, Oklahoma, he will win over the hearts of every coach, teammate and fan of any team who takes a chance on drafting him.
That’s just who he is.
