Alabama Football: Jalen Hurts represents everything that is right

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Jalen Hurts arrived on campus in December 2015 as an early enrollee. The nation’s number one dual-threat quarterback per 247 Sports, practiced with the Crimson Tide imitating Clemson’s All-American quarterback, Deshaun Watson to prepare for their upcoming championship game. He dazzled his teammates and coaching staff in the featured role. Little did the youngster know, he was being primed to become the next starting quarterback at Alabama.

Hurts entered his first game on the third offensive series of the 2016 USC game. The levelheaded freshman from Houston, Texas proceeded to fumble his first snap giving the ball to the Trojan’s defense. The former Texas District 21-6A MVP threw a 39-yard strike for a touchdown to senior Ardarius Stewart on the third offensive series in route to a 52-6 romp. He never conceded the reins back to previous five-star and starting quarterback, Blake Barnett.

Throughout the season, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin molded him into the SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a true freshman. Hurts set an Alabama season record with 36 touchdowns surpassing Blake Sims’ 35 scores.  He also finished with the second-highest season total in Alabama history with 3,734 yards of total offense. His dynamic, explosive playmaking befuddled defensive coordinators across the SEC.