With the success of dual-threat quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen last season in the NFL, former Oklahoma/Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts is entering the NFL at the right time.
Hurts, who’s been training in Atlanta and started practice for the South team Tuesday, can showcase his talent in the 71st annual Senior Bowl game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
“They have the ability to make things happen with their arms and their legs,” Hurts said of Jackson and Allen. “I think I’m a player that’s capable of doing that regardless of what’s what. I’m going to execute. I want to be efficient at whatever I’m doing.”
Hurts began his career at Alabama. He started 28 games before he was benched against Georgia in the national title game in favor of Tua Tagovailoa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in January 2018. He passed for 5,626 yards, 48 touchdowns and rushed for 23 touchdowns over his career at Alabama.
After staying for another season, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma as a graduate transfer and become a Heisman Trophy finalist. He guided the Sooners to the College Football Playoff after passing for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“I don’t think there is any experience that I’d go back and exchange or change,” Hurts said. “I think everything has happened for a reason. I think I’m stronger, wiser, a better man and a better leader for everything.”
Hurts seems to hold no hard feelings toward Alabama and appears to have been genuinely embraced by the rabid fan base.
“I’m appreciative of all of the support that I have received from the great universities,” Hurts said. “At Alabama, the great coaches and players that I played with. Just being here, back in Alabama and having the opportunity to represent two great schools. I will do it to the best of my abilities.”
Hurts, along with Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Colorado’s Steven Montez, will guide the South offense. He wants to show that he can master a watered-down NFL playbook.
“The reality is that I have to learn it,” Hurts said. “It takes hard work. It takes studying. Like in the past, but I’m looking forward to mastering this and executing this system at a high level.”
Hurts also will have a chance to interview with all 32 teams, who have over 1,000 scouts attending this week.
“Just be me,” Hurts said. “It’s about what I need to improve on. Being consistent. For this week, worrying about this week and trying to execute at a high level.”
At one time, Hurts would have been a candidate for a position switch. But with the NFL now embracing athletic quarterbacks, he has a shot. Even if he’s not considered on the level with Jackson or Allen, the Saints have used Taysom Hill, a college quarterback, in a variety of packages.
“Jalen has come a long, long way,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said. “I’ve been really open with this. People asked me about Jalen when I took the job, and I said maybe if he comes to the Senior Bowl, it might be as another position player. He’s blown that out.”
Hurts has improved his passing and reading of defenses and is now viewed as an NFL quarterback prospect.
“He’s come so far,” Nagy said. “I think those guys in Tuscaloosa have done a great job, and you saw it in kind of a small sample size at Alabama when he came off the bench against Georgia (in the 2018 SEC title game.) That move to Oklahoma this year, really opened you up to like a full season. He made it look so easy.”
The NFL teams want to see Hurts’ passing accuracy and some consistency on his throws.
“He had some really good games earlier in the year,” Nagy said. “He’s seeing the field a lot better than he ever has. I think that comes with experience at the position just like with anyone. He’s definitely seeing things quicker.”
Hurts believes he can deliver.
“There have been constant steps each year with the number of coaches that I’ve had,” Hurts said. “Each coach has had a pivotal role in who I am as a player and has helped me. I (must) be able to showcase it. That’s the biggest thing.”
Hurts doesn’t seem to harbor any ill toward Alabama for his benching.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Hurts said. “I think the biggest thing is never get too high or too low. I think everybody is going to come for you. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody is going to say something.
“You have to stay true to yourself. Stay focused and have the right mentality to do what you need to do to win.”
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