Jalen Hurts' breakout year 3
The top dual-threat quarterback in the 2016 college football class should have a straightforward path in college and eventually the NFL, especially one that signed with the powerhouse Alabama. Well, that was not the situation at all for Jalen Hurts. His CFB career started with a bang as he became the first true freshman to start at QB over the last 32 years; he helped Alabama to the top seed they ended up losing the Championship. The following season, he was benched at halftime in the 2018 National Championship game. In his junior season, Hurts split time with Tua Tagovailoa in a backup role.
He transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his senior season and ended up second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Afterward, the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He would start four games in his rookie season, throwing for 1,061 yards with a 52% completion percentage. The following season, he would lead the Eagles to the playoffs with an 8-7 record, throwing for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Even after making it to the playoffs, Hurts had many doubters about whether he could be a franchise QB. One familiar doubt was whether he could throw well enough to win in the playoffs. So far in the 2022 NFL season, Jalen has proven the haters all wrong. He has become the youngest QB to lead a team to a 13-1 record and is the favorite for MVP.
Social Media
Hate the pick. So many places he might have been interesting, this is not one of them. Don’t get it at all. #Eagles #Hurts https://t.co/T6oXmon2Bi
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 25, 2020
Quotes
We know there’s going to be adversity, And so we’re always looking at how guys overcome adversity, their resilience, their determination. The way he handled that year when he didn’t play for most of the year, and then the way he played when he had the opportunity, that was something.
Howie Roseman
Hate the pick. So many places he might have been interesting, this is not one of them. Don’t get it at all.
Mike Greenberg
(Hurts) was a polarizing figure in the sense that some people liked him, some saw him as a developmental quarterback and some thought he was a backup, I thought he was a developmental quarterback that had upside.
Ian Cunningham
I don't think Jalen Hurts is going to lead Philadelphia or any NFL organization to a Super Bowl. I just don't think he's that level of quarterback...
Todd McShay
References
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The long process that made Eagles believers in Jalen Hurts: ‘He’s a flat-out winner’
According to a poll by Bleeding Green Nation, 61 percent of more than 13,000 fans gave the Hurts selection an “F” grade. Only 12 percent graded it higher than a C.
The Athletic
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Jalen Hurts By The Numbers: Eagles QB has accomplished feat no player in franchise history has achieved
Jalen Hurts has been one of the most improved quarterbacks in football this season, a trajectory not many saw coming despite his incredible work ethic. Not only has Hurts catapulted himself into the top tier of quarterbacks around the league, he's one of the top candidates to win Most Valuable Player.
CBS Sports
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How Jalen Hurts ascended from good Eagles quarterback to MVP candidate
This year’s seismic leap can be traced to improved comfort, growth and freedom. Comfort within the Eagles’ offense. Comfort behind one of the best offensive lines in football. Comfort with an upgraded cast of skill position players. Growth in the area of improved mechanics and execution. And the freedom and confidence to embrace all of the traits that make him unique.
The Athletic
