True freshman Jalen Hurts showed little to no fear in his first game at quarterback for Alabama.
He put on a show in his home state, totaling 150 yards (32 rushing, nine carries) and four touchdowns against No. 20-ranked Southern California at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Hurts, a native of Channelview, Texas, accounted for 31 of the Crimson Tide’s 52 points (59.6 percent), including two touchdown passes to wide receiver ArDarius Stewart.
The Davey O’Brien Foundation took notice of the young signal-caller, naming him as one of its “Great 8” quarterbacks from week one. Hurts joins J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), Deondre Francois (Florida State), Lamar Jackson (Louisville), DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame), Mike White (Western Kentucky), Greg Ward Jr. (Houston) and Sefo Liufau (Colorado).
Hurts was a high four-star prospect upon signing to Alabama in January. He and the Crimson Tide will host Western Kentucky on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (CT) inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
