Alabama Football: What Jalen Hurts should do with no transfer imminent
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football coach, Nick Saban told ESPN Tuesday, Jalen Hurts intends to stay in Tuscaloosa and graduate in December. Let’s consider what is best for Jalen.
Alabama football fans, or most of us anyway, can breathe easier knowing Jalen Hurts will not leave Tuscaloosa anytime soon. On Tuesday, Nick Saban told ESPN Jalen plans to graduate from the University of Alabama in December.
Whatever happens in the QB competition, Alabama football will have a full roster of signal-callers this fall. For fans, angst over the starting role will continue at least through fall camp – maybe longer.
Following Saban’s response last week that he did not know if Jalen would be on the roster come September, Jalen told Saban,
"Jalen actually came to me and said … ‘I am going to be here. I am going to be here. I came here to get an education. I graduate in December, and I’m going to be here’"
We firmly believe Jalen is a man of his word.
The recent news will not end speculation. How much will the eventual second-team guy play? Will Saban try to use both Tua and Jalen? Should Jalen be cautious about games played as a non-starter? Will the new redshirt rule, drive him to limited game action in 2018?
What is next for Jalen?
On ESPN, First Take, Nick Saban said,
"If both guys can play a role and help us win, why wouldn’t we utilize both guys’ talents? This is something that has yet to be determined and it’s probably going to get decided at some point in time in fall camp."
What Nick Saban has decided or will decide is not known. Saban did have some success with a two-QB system at LSU. The bigger unknown is what should Jalen do, if or when it becomes clear Tua will be the guy in key games. Should he use a season of eligibility unless he gains the primary QB role?
We too will speculate, though that does not mean we have any idea what will happen. IF Jalen is not the primary QB after fall camp or after the Louisville game – he should hold on to the redshirt option. If Tua become lost to injury and Mac Jones is not ready to be a starter in big games, Jalen could take over. It might be for a game or two or even longer. If he sits after Louisville, he can play in three more games this season and still transfer next winter. In that scenario, Jalen would retain two seasons of eligibility.
It could be that additional year of eligibility is not a priority for Jalen. If it is, he deserves the opportunity to decide how much he plays unless Tua is hurt.
Saban has multiple options
Until LSU or maybe even later, Alabama football can win with QB flexibility. There could be a two-man system for Jalen and Tua or even a two-man system for Tua and Mac. Tua could quickly become “the guy” and start every game barring injury. If Tua starts and becomes injured, both Mac Jones and Jalen are options.
Nick Saban has options. Jalen Hurts has earned the right to have some options as well.
Next: Ten Best Alabama QB's of All-Time
The Ten Best list linked above was written after the 2015 season. So far there has been no reason to edit it. We suspect after the 2018 season, it will need a re-write.