Jalen Hurts at UL ? Laughable
Hurts will be a sooner
11 intriguing transfer destinations for Jalen Hurts
By Chris Hummer27 mins
The college football quarterback transfer market now features its biggest name yet.
Jalen Hurts, a national-championship winning quarterback at Alabama, is listed in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Barton Simmons. Being listed in the transfer portal does not necessarily mean Hurts will transfer, but it does allow other programs to contact Hurts.
And there will be no shortage of teams in hot pursuit of Hurts.
The former SEC Offensive Player of the Year is 26-2 as a starter and has one remaining year of eligibility. An Alabama graduate, Hurts would be able to transfer to any school — yes, including SEC squads — with immediate eligibility.
Based on Hurts’ skills, national need and more than a little logic, these are transfer destinations that make a whole lot of sense for the Alabama signal caller:
TCU Horned Frogs
Hurts is from Texas and the Horned Frogs need a quarterback. On paper this move would make a lot of sense. TCU has experience with high-profile transfer QBs (Kenny Hill comes to mind) and Hurts would give a Top 25-level team some instant stability under center. Hurts would also not lack for weapons. Rising junior wide receiver Jalen Reagor (72 catches, 1,061 yards) is among the nation’s best, and TCU also features a one-two punch between Darrius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua at running back. Hurts camped at TCU during his initial recruitment.
Auburn Tigers
I mean ... from a football standpoint, this makes sense. Gus Malzahn needs a quarterback and his power spread scheme would be an ideal fit for Hurts’ skillset. Additionally, Hurts would get a chance to compete against his former team. But Hurts' legacy at Alabama is so firmly entrenched, it's hard to see him risking all that to play for an arch-rival.
Maryland Terrapins
There’s the Mike Locksley connection here. Locksley spent the last two years at Alabama with Hurts and the pair have been nothing but complimentary of each other this season. Bringing Hurts to Maryland would give the team a smooth one-year transition to begin Locksley’s tenure. Hurts knows Locksley’s system. Locksley knows Hurts. It’d allow Hurts’ upward development as a passer to continue. Maryland has quarterback questions, too. Last year’s starter, Kasim Hill, in November tore his ACL for the second time in two years.
Miami Hurricanes
This scenario makes sense on the surface based on need. Miami, which obviously needs a QB, would provide Hurts an immediate, high-profile place to finish his college career. Probe a little deeper and the move aligns further. A not-so-quiet rumor circulating in college circles is Major Applewhite to the Hurricanes as offensive coordinator. And while that isn’t a done deal, it’s worth noting Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Houston during Hurts’ recruitment. One of the first schools to offer Hurts? Yep, Houston.
Houston Cougars
Speaking of Houston, the school and Hurts make sense for a few reasons: 1. Hurts could go home and finish his colligate eligibility. 2. New Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen has made a career out of mentoring quarterbacks, including Will Grier, who came to Morgantown as a Florida transfer. 3. Holgorsen’s system would give Hurts a high-profile platform to show off his arm.
The only problem with this scenario? The Cougars already has a fantastic quarterback in D’Eriq King. Holgorsen called King a “great” quarterback this week in San Antonio, correcting a reporter who labeled the rising senior as “good.”
Arkansas Razorbacks
Chad Morris recruited Hurts in high school and I’d be surprised if he didn’t do so again. Morris, the former SMU head coach, is a noted QB whisper dating back to his time at Clemson. And the Razorbacks are in desperate need of a quarterback. Would Hurts have a chance to win much at Arkansas next season? Probably not. But Morris would be an intriguing coach to tutor under for a season as Hurts preps for a future in the NFL.
Florida Gators
File the name Brian Johnson away with this one. A former assistant at Mississippi State and Houston, Johnson recruited Hurts out of high school for the Bulldogs. A key factor in Dak Prescott’s ascendance, Johnson and Dan Mullen bring with them a wealth of quarterback developmental experience. Florida also could use a QB. Feleipe Franks was much better in Year 2 as a starter, but you’re not going to find anyone nationally who thinks Franks gives Florida a better chance to win than Hurts. Florida jumps into the 2019 national title picture with Hurts in the fold.
Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles need a quarterback solution, and Willie Taggart needs a spark. Hurts could help fill both voids. The offense of new Seminoles’ offensive coordinator Kendal Briles would be a boon in Florida State’s potential pursuit of Hurts. King, in 11 games under Briles, threw for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions. That veer-and-shoot system, dating back to Robert Griffin, puts quarterbacks in the league. But Hurts probably saw how badly FSU's offensive line struggled in 2018 and it's hard to imagine him signing up for that pain.
Tennessee Volunteers
This is another matter of connecting the dots. Jeremy Pruitt is a former Alabama assistant. His school, Tennessee, needs a quarterback. And Pruitt’s new OC, Jim Chaney, is a well-respected play-caller and developer. Hurts could do a lot worse than Knoxville.
Florida Atlantic Owls
I would consider this destination unlikely. But Lane Kiffin and Jalen Hurts have a noted history, one that in 2016 resulted in one of the best true freshman quarterback seasons ever. Does Hurts want to finish his career in Conference USA? Probably not. Crazier things have happened, though, and relationships are often paramount.
Arizona Wildcats
The least likely team on this list, Arizona still garners inclusion because of Hurts’ family relationship with Kevin Sumlin. Texas A&M made a big push late in Hurts’ initial recruitment, landing a coveted in-home visit before Hurts enrolled early at Alabama. Sumlin’s relationship with Hurts’ dad, a Texas high school football coach, secured that meeting. Why is this unlikely then? Khalil Tate is headed back to Arizona for his senior season. Had Tate opted to leave, which he strongly considered, the Wildcats would sit atop this list.
I think it will be Houston because there will be $$ involved and they got a Bazillion!
lol. What a professor.
Maryland makes the most sense
----I don't think many thought we had a chance to get Roy Henry when he left ND and I can tell you there is no doubt that former recruiting ties were a huge factor in getting him to campus------If Coach Nap was a major roll player in his getting to campus there is an intangible chance......don't know the rules but contact and meeting and pulling out all the stops would be happening if they had a close relationship!!!
There are currently 18 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 18 guests)