Jalen Hurts. NFL MVP. Not bad for a 26-year-old, speaking of which, Happy Birthday Ryan Williams. Last Sunday, we had a fun debate in our Last Word on College Football writer’s chat. We have a writer who likes to poke at his fellow writers, especially those not in the SEC. We are looking at you, O-H-I-O, and the Masked Rider. Ok, the writer is me. But it is all in fun and makes for some really entertaining discussions and debates. Here is the question that kicked the hornet’s nest on Friday night: where should Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift get married? Wait, that was the wrong chat. The actual question that drew the most ire was, Where did Jalen Hurts go to school? Alabama or Oklahoma?
SEC Tailgate Talk: Jalen Hurts, Bammer or Sooner?
Social Media Recap
Alabama was quick to retweet the picture of a smiling Hurts after the game from the NFL’s Twitter account and the graphic touting Hurts as Superbowl LIX MVP. Alabama’s tweet put out a video a video of Hurts running across the field after the game and embracing Patrick Mahomes with the caption Super Bowl MVP!
Oklahoma did a better and more extensive job of retweeting and promoting Hurts as MVP. They leveled up their social media’s announcement of Hurts’ MVP by putting a picture of Hurts in his Sooners’ uniform. Bonus points for Oklahoma for retweeting Yahoo Sports “A BOOMER OF A PERFORMANCE FROM JALEN HURTS 😤” tweet and a really cool picture from the Eagles of Jalen smoking a cigar in the hallway after the game with the caption. “Kept the main thing, the main thing.” The Sooners’ social media team went all in on Hurts and promoted the MVP.
It was a good effort, but let’s be honest, it’s social media. Outrage today and forgotten tomorrow. The real question is, when someone asks you, where did Hurts play? What is your first response? Let’s make the case for each.
SEC Tailgate Talk: Jalen Hurts, Bammer or Sooner?
The Case for Alabama
Jalen Hurts and Alabama just go together. We’re not quite sure how one can even say Oklahoma. Sure, it was the last school he went to before the Eagles drafted him. But, come on, Jalen Hurts is forever a Bammer. Hurts took over the starting job in game two as a freshman in 2016. He became the first Alabama starting quarterback to be a freshman in over 32 years. That first season, Hurts showed an ability to run and throw. In that first year, he broke the Alabama record for touchdowns in a season, 36. Alabama was a pick and a Hunter Renfroe score from defeating Clemson in the national championship.
The 2017 season was the lynchpin. Hurts led Alabama to an 11-1 regular season and back to the national championship to face the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta. Unfortunately for Hurts, the Dawgs’ defense flew all over the field and held the Tide scoreless. Down 13-0 at halftime, Nick Saban decided to pull Hurts and replace him with Tua Tagovailoa. A 2nd and 26 conversion sparked Alabama to the come-from-behind win. Hurts was pulled and passed over by a Freshman. The story should have ended, the message was clear it was time for Hurts to move on.
In 2018, Hurts was forced to become a true teammate. Tagovailoa was the starter. Hurts would get spot time, mostly cleanup. He could have sulked and pouted. He stayed and answered the call when the Tide needed him most. In the 2018 SEC Championship game, Hurts came in for an injured Tagovailoa and orchestrated one of the most gutsy comebacks in Alabama history. The win gave the Tide another SEC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Hurts would graduate with his B.A. in Communications before announcing his transfer to Norman for his senior season.
The Case for Oklahoma
Hurts came out slinging for the Sooners in his first start. He broke the single-game yardage record by putting up 508 yards of total offense against Houston, 112 yards more than Baker Mayfield’s previous record. Hurts would lead the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. His season would end in the semifinal game against the LSU Tigers. Hurts would also finish second to Joe Burrow in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2019.
Hurts thrived in Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense at Oklahoma. While at Alabama, NFL scouts and media members questioned his arm strength and throwing ability. His one season at Oklahoma silenced any doubt and was one of the reasons why the Eagles drafted him in the second round, 53rd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jalen Hurts: The Verdict
Oklahoma deserves some credit. They touted and supported Hurts on social media. Riley and the Air Raid helped answer questions about his arm strength. But, let’s be honest. Was the 2019 season that memorable? Are you still thinking about Hurts and Sooners? If the answer is yes, I am sorry. That is incorrect. Hurts is a member of the Crimson Tide. There is a legacy there. There is a beautiful story arch. Hope. Heartache. Redemption. It is all there. There is no question. There is no debate. Roll Tide.
Main Photo: Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman
