His teammates and coaches honored him with the “Most Inspiring Player” Award on Sunday at Alabama’s annual awards banquet in Birmingham, but national media finally recognized Jalen Hurts for what he is after seeing his performance in the Southeastern Conference title game.
Although he will be one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, Georgia was prepared for sophomore Tua Tagovailoa and he missed the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury.
Prior to Hurts coming in, the scouting report on him was he is not an “effective passer.”
RELATED: Jalen Hurts cements legacy at Alabama with SEC Championship heroics
Along with that, there were many people who thought he would not be on the roster this season or he takes the redshirt rule and does not play. Before and after his decision to spurn all doubters against Louisiana, the native Texan had improved as an overall player with Dan Enos.
Hurts entered the game with the Tide trailing by seven and navigated two touchdown drives that ultimately delivered it a championship. The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder completed seven of nine pass attempts for 82 yards – including a 10-yard scoring toss to Jerry Jeudy to tie the game at 28.
His game-winning run of 15 yards had fans screaming his name and media pundits absolutely stunned. While some simply admitted they were wrong, ESPN’s Marty Smith was one of few that took it a step further to really appreciate Hurts on social media.
We all said Jalen Hurts wasn’t a passer.
Every one of us.
Yes the winning touchdown was a run.
But let it be said: Jalen Hurts passed Alabama to the SEC Championship in that 4th Quarter tonight against a great Georgia team that played exceptional football.What a story.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) December 2, 2018
Proud of you @JalenHurts! https://t.co/gggEDdAO6u
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) December 2, 2018
This is UNREAL! What a performance from @JalenHurts. To come off the bench and do what he’s done with these last two scoring drives — seen really for the first time in a situation that counts since the title game — is sensational. Special. So happy for him. Shocked, but happy!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 2, 2018
Huge lesson to all of us out here based on @JalenHurts. Lesson in perseverance. In staying on that grind and never giving up. Can’t say enough about this performance. Never saw it coming. @FootballUGA should be out. It’s @OU_Football or @OhioStateFB
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 2, 2018
More action remains to be seen as the College Football Playoff stage is set; nevertheless, reclaiming pride as conference champions was marquee for Hurts and the Tide.
For Monday’s airing of In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine talks on the journey of Hurts and why he should be respected as the ambassador of Alabama football.
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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.
