Where Did Jalen Hurts Go To College: Exploring the Hidden Chapters of Jalen Hurts’ College Days
Jalen Hurts is an American football quarterback who most recently played college football at the University of Oklahoma. He played for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2019 season before declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft. However, prior to transferring to Oklahoma, Hurts had a very successful college career as the starting quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide from 2016-2018.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at Jalen Hurts’ college football career, the schools he attended, his accomplishments and stats at each program, why he ultimately transferred from Alabama to Oklahoma, and how his college success prepared him for the NFL.
Where Did Jalen Hurts Play College Football?
Jalen Hurts played college football at two major NCAA Division I programs:
University of Alabama (2016-2018)
Hurts committed to the University of Alabama and head coach Nick Saban as a 4-star dual-threat quarterback recruit out of Channelview High School in Texas.
He became the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback in 2016 as a true freshman and went on to have an extremely successful three years at Alabama before transferring after the 2018 season.
University of Oklahoma (2019)
After graduating from Alabama, Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his senior season in 2019. He started at quarterback for the Sooners under head coach Lincoln Riley and had a record-breaking year prior to entering the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jalen Hurts’ Accomplishments and Stats at Alabama
Jalen Hurts enjoyed immense success as the starting QB for Alabama from 2016-2018, including:
- A 26-2 record as a starter.
- An SEC Offensive Player of the Year award in 2016.
- Two berths in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
- One national championship in 2017.
Hurts’ Stats at Alabama:
| Year | Games | Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | INTs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 | 62.8% | 2,780 | 23 | 9 | 954 | 13 |
| 2017 | 14 | 60.4% | 2,081 | 17 | 1 | 855 | 8 |
| 2018 | 15 | 73.5% | 765 | 8 | 2 | 167 | 5 |
He went 26-2 as a starter his first two seasons, including a dramatic comeback win over Georgia in the 2018 national championship game as a freshman. In his three years at Alabama, Hurts compiled a record of 32-4 with over 6,000 yards passing, 50 touchdowns through the air, and nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 25 scores on the ground.
Why Did Jalen Hurts Transfer from Alabama to Oklahoma?
Jalen Hurts opened the 2018 season as Alabama’s starter. However, he was replaced at halftime of the national championship game by freshman Tua Tagovailoa after struggling against Georgia. Tagovailoa led a comeback victory to deliver Bama the title.
Heading into 2019, Tagovailoa was named the Crimson Tide’s full-time starting QB by Coach Saban. As a graduate transfer, Hurts was able to transfer and play immediately at another school without sitting out a season.
With his chances of starting at Alabama slim, Hurts elected to transfer to Oklahoma to play his senior season under Lincoln Riley’s high-powered offense.
Hurts stepped in and replaced former Heisman winner Kyler Murray, who had gone on to the NFL. The fit proved perfect for Hurts’ skill set.
Jalen Hurts’ Accomplishments and Stats at Oklahoma
In his lone season at Oklahoma in 2019, Jalen Hurts put up phenomenal numbers leading the Sooners’ offense:
- He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind LSU’s Joe Burrow.
- Hurts won Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
- He was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
- Oklahoma reached the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Hurts’ Stats at Oklahoma:
| Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | INTs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69.7% | 3,851 | 32 | 8 | 1,298 | 20 |
Hurts set the Oklahoma record for total offensive yards in a season with 5,149. He also set school QB records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
His electric playmaking ability led Oklahoma’s offense to become one of the highest scoring units in the country. Hurts cemented himself as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football.
How Did Jalen Hurts’ College Success Prepare Him for the NFL?
Jalen Hurts delivered consistent production and leadership for two of the top college programs in the nation in Alabama and Oklahoma. His college success exhibited several strengths that prepared him well for a pro career:
- Dual-threat ability – Hurts’ rushing skills force defenses to account for his mobility, adding a dynamic element rarely seen from NFL quarterbacks.
- Winning pedigree – His 26-2 record as a freshman and sophomore starter at Alabama proves Hurts’ ability to lead teams to victory.
- Durability and toughness – Hurts started almost every game over his four-year college career, demonstrating exceptional physical endurance.
- Quick learner – Mastering two complex offensive systems in Alabama and Oklahoma within a year of transferring shows Hurts’ high football IQ.
- Alpha mentality – Handling the pressures of massive SEC crowds displays the mental fortitude scouts want in franchise QBs.
Overall, Jalen Hurts’ standout college resume placed him among the most intriguing quarterback prospects entering the NFL Draft. His proven leadership abilities, athletic gifts, and competitive nature at Alabama and Oklahoma made him an attractive selection early in the 2020 draft.
What Was Jalen Hurts Drafted By The NFL?
Jalen Hurts declared for the 2020 NFL Draft following his senior season at Oklahoma. He was viewed as one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft class.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Hurts in the 2nd round with the 53rd overall pick. He was the 5th QB drafted behind Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love.
The Eagles saw Hurts as an excellent scheme fit for a backup behind Carson Wentz who could be used creatively in certain packages. However, Hurts exceeded expectations by developing into a formidable starting QB capable of taking over the offense.
What Is Jalen Hurts’ Current NFL Team?
After serving as the backup during his rookie season, Jalen Hurts became the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2021 following Carson Wentz’s departure.
Hurts won the job over veteran acquisition Joe Flacco and has been the Eagles’ primary starter since, leading Philadelphia to the NFC’s #1 playoff seed in 2022.
Here are Jalen Hurts’ NFL stats through his first three professional seasons:
| Year | Games | Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | INTs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 52% | 1,061 | 6 | 4 | 354 | 3 |
| 2021 | 15 | 61.3% | 3,144 | 16 | 9 | 784 | 10 |
| 2022 | 15 | 66% | 3,701 | 22 | 6 | 760 | 13 |
At just 24 years old, Jalen Hurts has firmly established himself as the Eagles franchise quarterback and an ascending star in the NFL at the position. His unprecedented college success at Alabama and Oklahoma prepared him well for the pros.
Conclusion
In summary, Jalen Hurts enjoyed a highly successful college football career as the starting quarterback at two of the most prestigious programs in the country – Alabama and Oklahoma.
After an unprecedented three-year run leading Alabama to a national championship and two national title game appearances, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for a change of scenery. He immediately stepped in and delivered a dominant, record-breaking season leading the Sooners’ high-octane offense.
Hurts’ accomplishments across the board – including a 38-4 starting record, over 9,000 passing yards, 80 touchdowns through the air, and nearly 3,300 rushing yards and 36 scores on the ground – cemented his status as one of the most accomplished college quarterbacks of the 2010s decade.
His proven leadership abilities, poise under pressure, innate football intelligence, athletic versatility, and alpha mentality on the field thoroughly prepared Hurts for the challenges of the NFL. This was evidenced when Hurts became the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles in just his second professional season.
At every level, Jalen Hurts has achieved standout success through his natural playmaking gifts and competitive drive. His journey emerging from back-to-back College Football Playoff contenders to now leading a Super Bowl caliber team displays the immense upside Hurts brings as a franchise quarterback.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jalen Hurts’ College Career
Where did Jalen Hurts play college football?
Jalen Hurts played at the University of Alabama from 2016-2018 before transferring to the University of Oklahoma in 2019.
What numbers did Jalen Hurts wear in college?
At Alabama, Hurts wore #2. At Oklahoma, he switched to #1.
What awards did Jalen Hurts win in college?
Hurts won SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman at Alabama in 2016. He was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year along with Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year during his season at Oklahoma.
How many college games did Jalen Hurts start?
Hurts started 40 games in his four-year college career – 32 at Alabama and 8 at Oklahoma.
Who recruited Jalen Hurts to Alabama?
Jalen Hurts was recruited by Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin out of high school.
