In a quarterback race where all cards point to sophomore Tua Tagovailoa starting for the University of Alabama football program, one former player continues to put respect and confidence toward Jalen Hurts.
Blake Sims, an individual that knows all too well about being overlooked, undervalued and counted out, made his guest appearance via phone Wednesday on the Paul Finebaum Show.
The one-year starter for the Crimson Tide in 2014 was predicted to lose to graduate transfer, Jacob Coker, but he ended up winning the job in fall camp and turned in a strong season that delivered Alabama to a Southeastern Conference title and an appearance in the first-ever College Football Playoff.
Since the magical run, Sims has been trying to return to the professional ranks while keeping a close eye on the quarterback race at his Alma mater. Although he considers Hurts and Tagovailoa younger brothers to him, the Tide’s single-season passing leader is not happy with how Hurts has been viewed by fans and national media throughout the summer.
“What I’m not liking is people counting Jalen Hurts out already. Don’t count that man out like he hasn’t done anything to show that he’s committed to the team & willing to do whatever it takes to help the team” – Blake Sims pic.twitter.com/ANpYcNxEnG
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) August 15, 2018
Despite all the good he has done on and off the field, the one knock against Hurts has been his inefficiency to be a consistent passer. All things came to a head in the CFP national title game versus Georgia in January as Nick Saban had to bench Hurts for Tagovailoa in the second half.
After rescuing the team to a national championship, the native Hawaiian has put himself in position to be the starter in September and after his performance from the Tide’s first preseason scrimmage – via reports – most people will say there is no race and that it’s Tagovailoa’s job.
Hurts has done great things in two years as a starter, especially taking the school to two straight title games, yet and still the Tide fan base craves something more. During a conversation Sims had with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine back in April, his biggest advice for both players was to “stay off social media and stay focused into the program.”
“Every one that you need to get in contact with is at the complex and at the field house,” Sims said at his camp on Hurts and Tagovailoa. “You need to understand what you want for your future and what you want for the team’s future.”
Regardless of Sims being an advocate of letting the two compete, the feeling around the program is Tagovailoa gives Alabama the best chance of having a potent offense that may finally compel people to not turn away. This continues to a pressure point for Saban and all that are invested.
Hopefully, Sims’ words can spark something in Hurts as he still has something to prove.
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.
