For quarterback Jalen Hurts, he knows how important the upcoming season is when it comes to avenging a loss and capturing a national championship.
Regardless of strong numbers and winning the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, the fleeting images of Hurts was watching Deshaun Watson hoist the hardware.
While he’s been perfecting his accuracy and timing on throws, the national media has placed him on multiple preseason watch list – including Maxwell and Davey O’Brien. And as of Wednesday morning, the native Texan snatched his third Sports Illustrated cover of his young career.
After being featured on two College Football Playoff cover last year, Hurts finds his face on this year’s College Football Preview cover for 2017. The hiring of Brian Daboll at offensive coordinator and the return of several receivers has the media expecting more from Hurts.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.