Coaches across the country are naming their starting quarterbacks entering the 2019 season today. Ohio State named Justin Fields as its starter earlier, and Oklahoma named Jalen Hurts as its starter a short time later. As with Fields, Hurts was the presumptive No. 1 option entering the season, but unlike Fields, Hurts faced real competition before being named the Sooners’ starting quarterback.
Coach Riley names @JalenHurts the starting quarterback.https://t.co/DAc7GEqu3m | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/tddLZVcm5Y
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 19, 2019
While most people did expect Hurts to be named the starter, Oklahoma has two highly rated quarterbacks waiting in the wings. Redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai and true freshman Spencer Rattler were both top recruits coming out of high school, and one of the two will likely take the reins in 2020 following Riley’s announcement on Monday.
Hurts is the most decorated quarterback to ever transfer to a new program. Hurts went 26-2 in three seasons as a starter at Alabama, and he was the starter throughout the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He was benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa at halftime of the 2017 CFP National Championship Game against Georgia, and after Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to a comeback win, Hurts became the backup in Tuscaloosa.
Hurts saw plenty of action last season, but Tagovailoa started every game. That led Hurts to come to Oklahoma as a graduate transfer in January where he will have one more season of eligibility.
In three years at Alabama, Hurts put up incredible numbers. He completed almost 63 percent of his passes for nearly 5,500 yards with 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Hurts was even better on the ground, averaging over five yards per carry and scampering for 23 rushing touchdowns.
Congrats to Jalen Hurts on winning the Heisman. https://t.co/hVpbd6PdIb
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 19, 2019
Hurts has some incredible shoes to fill. Both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray came to Oklahoma as transfers and won the Heisman Trophy, and both quarterbacks were No. 1 picks in the last two drafts. Hurts won’t be a No. 1 pick, but he could make it three Heisman winners in three years.
