Since Alabama football head coach Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, he has preached one voice about the Alabama program. Yesterday, his junior quarterback challenged Saban’s narrative causing unwanted attention.
Alabama football quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed himself yesterday as if he was a man without a country. His evident frustration visibly bubbling over, the junior quarterback unloaded to set everything straight. Remaining silent since the spring game, Jalen opened up about the nation’s hottest quarterback battle during yesterday’s Fan Day,
"Coaches can’t control this situation … this whole spring ever since the game, they kind of wanted to let it play out … But that’s always been the elephant in the room. For me, no one came up to me the whole spring, coaches included, no one asked me how I felt. No one asked me what was on my mind. No one asked me how I felt about the things that were going on. Nobody asked me what my future held. That’s that. So now, it’s like when we try to handle the situation now, for me, it’s kind of late, it’s too late, the narrative has already been created."
The stunning declaration that no coaches including Nick Saban reached out to him raises eyebrows. Saban is a man with strict attention to detail and leaves no stone unturned.
Was this a tactic to invigorate Jalen and push him to work harder than ever before?
Conveying his message through the media
The aftermath of Jalen’s father aptly telling Bleacher Report that his son would become the biggest free agent in college football sent the Alabama nation into defense mode.
Hurts followed up his father’s statement with a subpar A-Day performance. During the game, any substantial progress made in his throwing ability was absent. Jalen still appeared a liability.
Jalen is a dangerous runner with the ability to take it the distance whenever he tucks the ball and runs. However, the Alabama football roster has a bevy of excellent running backs.
Teams with adequate talent can make the Tide one-dimensional. Forcing Hurts to pass increases an opponent’s chance for a victory. As yet, Jalen has not shown he has progressed as a passer.
Clash of the Titans
Challenging Saban in the media has not occurred during his twelve years on campus. Observing how the head coach responds in the next few days will be key. One of Saban’s critical notes regarding the quarterback battle was not to do anything to bring attention to yourself.
Jalen displayed an edginess never observed during his time in Tuscaloosa. Doubting Hurts could provide fuel for him and awake a sleeping giant. We all know the young quarterback has mounds of talent and grit.
Jalen was digging deep into his soul when he spoke. Perhaps it was to win over an obsessed fan base that has dismissed him. Pulling that off with words is a Mount Olympia sized task. Alabama’s Zeus, Saban, is the gatekeeper and believes that winning cures all. He will win with or without Jalen.
An unquestionable leader and role model, the nineteen-year old’s character should not be called into question. He is doing what every one of us does when there is no communication or clarity in our jobs.
Alabama football is off today. Practice resumes Monday afternoon. Any question posed about Jalen, expect an epic rant from Saban.