In a move that surprised nobody, Oklahoma names Jalen Hurts starting quarterback for the season opener against Houston. Hurts will become the third consecutive transfer quarterback to start for head coach Lincoln Riley. With that, Hurts will aim to become the third quarterback in as many seasons to bring the Heisman Trophy back to Norman. Oklahoma begins the season at home against Houston on September 1st.
Hot Commodity
We live in a world of free agency in college football. Although this may be true, Hurts was the biggest free agent this year. When the Alabama star chose the Sooners, it was just a matter of time before this announcement came. The Hurts story is well documented. He went from the starting position to the bench. Then, he rescued Alabama in the SEC championship game. Hurts might not have the same talent as Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. But, Hurts has some intangibles that Mayfield and Murray did not. He was made it to the top in being a starter in a national championship game. Could this be a 30-for-30 episode in the making?
Is a @30for30 in Jalen Hurts’ future? Time will tell. What do you think? @getupespn @ou_football pic.twitter.com/Ju3fHQA6Iv
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) August 19, 2019
One and Done
Now, even though Hurts in the third consecutive transfer he is the first graduate transfer in the group. This will be his one and only season in Norman. Hurts has made it clear that he came to Oklahoma to compete for and win a national championship. Perhaps his best quality is his leadership ability. This is something Mayfield mastered in his time as a Sooner. However, Hurts did a tremendous job in winning the locker room early on in the spring. That speaks volume for not only his character but his ability to lead this team.
Hurts won the quarterback competition over Tanner Mordecai and whom most believe is the next in line, Spencer Rattler. Rattler is a true-freshman five-star quarterback from Pinnacle High School in Arizona. Hurts will be counted on this season to not only perform but to also be a mentor to Mordecai and Rattler. But, can Oklahoma make it back to the college football playoffs? Or, better yet, can Hurts give the college football nation the matchup that it covets in the national championship game which is an Alabama rematch and reunion?
Coach Riley names @JalenHurts the starting quarterback.https://t.co/DAc7GEqu3m | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/tddLZVcm5Y
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 19, 2019
