Hurts’ college career
To say Jalen Hurts’ college career was eventful would be something of an understatement. He enjoyed a prolific three seasons at Alabama before eventually making a dramatic transfer to Oklahoma.
Hurts completed 62.8 percent of his passes during his first season under center for the Crimson Tide on his way to 2,780 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
He recorded similar stats in 2017, accumulating 2,081 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just one pick. This came on a 60.4 completion percentage to secure a passer rating of 150.2.
The quarterback had a mixed 2018 and he eventually lost his starting job to projected top-five NFL Draft pick, Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts threw just 70 passes in Alabama’s National Championship-winning campaign that year for 765 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.
It was clear that Tagovailoa was head coach Nick Saban’s man going forward, leaving Hurts facing the prospect of sitting on the sidelines for his final college season. This prompted the young quarterback to transfer to Oklahoma and it proved an incredibly wise decision.
Hurts was nothing short of phenomenal for the Sooners in 2019, notching 3,851 yards on a 69.7 percent completion percentage. He also threw 32 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 1,298 yards and an astonishing 20 touchdowns (5.6 yards per carry).
This was the first time Hurts broke the 1,000-yard rushing barrier after achieving 1,976 yards and 23 touchdowns during his three-year stint with Alabama.
Hurts’ outstanding year of production saw him finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting behind this year’s projected No. 1 draft pick, Joe Burrow.