Jalen Hurts’ college career is one of recent college football history’s most fascinating and unique journeys. He played for two powerhouse programs and experienced both the heights of success and the challenges of adversity, all while developing into one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Tuscaloosa to Norman to NFL: Relive Jalen Hurts’ Transfer Portal Tale
Hurts played for two of the nation’s most prominent teams — Alabama and Oklahoma — and played for two of the sport’s most renowned coaches — Nick Saban and Lincoln Riley — yet the legacy he created lives on its own.
His tale started in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide.
Hurts’ Alabama Years (2016-2018)
Hurts arrived at Alabama in 2016 as a four-star recruit from Texas. Hurts quickly made his mark, winning the starting job under head coach Saban, becoming the first freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in over 30 years.
During his freshman season, Hurts led Alabama to an undefeated regular season, the SEC Championship, and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
His athleticism and ability to run the ball made him a true dual-threat quarterback, something Alabama had not had in recent years. He threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 954 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hurts was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year.
Hurts led Alabama to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Clemson. Though the Crimson Tide lost in a heartbreaker, Hurts produced a respectable outing, leading a late go-ahead touchdown drive before Clemson famously responded.
In his sophomore season in 2017, Hurts continued to improve his passing ability, though Alabama’s offense began to revolve more around the running game and defense. He still threw for 2,081 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just one interception while rushing for 855 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Crimson Tide once again reached the Playoff, defeating Clemson this time around in the semifinals to set up a national title game against Georgia.
But then, the adversity hit. The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game became a defining moment in Hurts’ Alabama career.
Struggling against Georgia’s defense, Hurts was benched at halftime in favor of freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who led Alabama to a comeback win in overtime, securing the national title.
Despite being benched, Hurts was said to have handled the situation with grace and professionalism, earning widespread respect for his character from many across the nation.
In 2018, Hurts entered the season as Tagovailoa’s backup, playing sparingly during the regular season. However, in yet another defining moment, Hurts was thrust into the action like Tagovailoa was in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.
With Tagovailoa injured, Hurts came off the bench to lead Alabama to a comeback victory over Georgia, securing the SEC title. His performance was a storybook moment and one not-soon-forgotten in Alabama history.
Despite his heroics, Hurts knew his future lay elsewhere. After graduating from Alabama in December 2018, Hurts entered the transfer portal, seeking a proverbial fresh start as a graduate transfer.
Hurts’ Oklahoma Tenure (2019)
In January 2019, Hurts announced his decision to transfer to the University of Oklahoma, a school with a strong quarterback pedigree in recent years under then-head coach Lincoln Riley. Oklahoma had produced two consecutive Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and Hurts certainly had hopes to continue that success.
He thrived in Oklahoma’s offense, which was built around his strengths as a dual-threat athlete. Hurts quickly established himself as one of the best players in the country, finishing the 2019 season with 3,851 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
He also rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns, becoming one of the most productive quarterbacks in both the passing and rushing games.
Under Hurts’ leadership, Oklahoma went 12-1 in the regular season, winning the Big 12 Championship and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Hurts finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, behind only LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, arguably the most impressive quarterback season of all-time. His senior season at Oklahoma was not only statistically impressive, but it also cemented his status as a potential NFL prospect.
Oklahoma faced LSU in the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Though Hurts and the Sooners were overmatched by Burrow and this dominant LSU team, Hurts’ overall body of work during the 2019 season earned a significantly boosted draft stock.
Hurts’ College Football Legacy Lives On in Transfer Portal Era
His college career is remembered not only for his success on the field but also for the way Hurts handled adversity. His decision to transfer from Alabama to Oklahoma only after getting his degree, showed his determination to prove himself as a starting quarterback while honoring his promises.
At both schools, Hurts demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a team-first mentality.
While his time at Alabama was defined by championships and personal growth, his year at Oklahoma showed his ability to adapt to a new system and elevate his game to new heights. Hurts left college as one of the most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, and his unique journey set the stage for his transition to the NFL.
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Hurts’ college career stands as a testament to perseverance, hard work, and the ability to thrive in the face of challenges. Whether at Alabama or Oklahoma, Hurts left an indelible mark on college football.
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