It’s been over two months since Jalen Hurts was mobbed by media personnel.
After trying to find words to describe a tough 35-31 loss at the hands of quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national title game on Jan. 9, Alabama’s dread headed assassin took to the Mal Moore facility for Monday’s player interviews.
Following a monumental freshman season and seven spring workouts, the four-star recruit said the biggest testament to his improvement as a player is seeing the game slow down for him.
“That comes with experience,” Hurts said.
“I’m more mature now. I’m still an 18-year-old kid, but I’m not the same kid.”
While the expectation prior to 2016 revolved around Cooper Bateman or Blake Barnett being the guy at quarterback, it was Hurts that pushed, impressed and earned the starting job in week two.
His dual threat prowess led to 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and an Alabama single-season record 36 touchdown responsible for. He turned in four 100-yard rushing games (Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State), guided the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference championship and was the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year; however, the native Texan states that his journey is not over.
“My sophomore season started on January 10,” he said. “I’m trying to get a ring on my finger.”
As the first returning starter for the Tide at quarterback since AJ McCarron (2012-13), Hurts has bought into Nick Saban’s mantra of being focused on what’s happening presently. In preparation for the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, he said that is personal goal is to improve with each opportunity.
“Coach Saban always talks about improvement,” Hurts said. “When I break the huddle, I want to improve day by day. Especially in the passing game, that’s part of the day by day improvement.”
Through 15 games a year ago, Hurts had the sound of a young, brilliant, passionate and at times party animal in Lane Kiffin whispering in his ear. He’ll have more a refined coordinator in Brian Daboll this fall, but the 214-pound athlete said there is not a huge difference between the two.
“They are both coaches at the end of the day,” Hurts said. “Both are going to get you prepared and they’ve done a good job with that. Of course, Coach Brian has done a good job.”
Daboll, who has worked with multiple pro quarterbacks and witnessed a five-time Super Bowl champion in Tom Brady, has seen daily improvement in Hurts’ overall work ethic this spring.
“Every day he tells me that my feet are better,” Hurts said. “Whether it’s the passing game or accuracy, he sees an improvement each day. I just want to continue taking steps forward.”
During Saban’s first presser of the semester, he made it known that Hurts was the starter and freshmen Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones were vying for backup roles. Going from trying to fit in to now being a leader is difficult, but the 6’2″ superstar wants to show that he is ready for it.
“We have a new team this year, but it’s all about redemption,” he said.
“We want to get back to the national title game and finish what we started. “When you lose a national championship game, you remember that. So, that’s always on my mind for sure.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
