He became the ultimate team player after choosing to support Tua Tagovailoa in the College Football Playoff title game when Nick Saban made the switch; however, his latest decision has Alabama fans all the more excited for the upcoming season.
Despite not knowing at Southeastern Conference media days on whether Jalen Hurts would remain with the team, Saban got his answer Tuesday before coming to the ESPN campus car wash in Bristol, Conn.
He said the two-year starter at quarterback told him he is not leaving.
“Jalen actually came to me and said… ‘I am going to be here. I am going to be here. I came here to get an education. I graduate in December, and I am going to be here,’” Saban said Hurts told him per ESPN on SportsCenter.
Much speculation has been made of the quarterback race since Tagovailoa performance in the national title game and Hurts’ struggles through the latter part of 2017.
He threw one interception last season, but Hurts’ reluctance to throw the ball stunted the Tide’s growth on offense.
The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder released a hype video to social media on Sunday, unveiling the caption “It’s A Lot of Talking Going On.” He intends on taking more opportunities in the passing game should he win the job, but choosing to stay gives Alabama an edge to control defenses.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
