Jalen Hurts Transferring to Oklahoma
Jalen Hurts is leaving Tuscaloosa after three seasons. Hurts announced the transfer in a story on Player's Tribune but it's not a suprise given that he was reported to havve visited the school last weekend.
Oklahoma lost their star quarterback Kyler Murray last week after he announced he was forgoing his senior season to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Hurts name appeared in the transfer portal after Alabama got dominated by Trevor Lawrence and his Clemson Side in the National Championship game.
The Texan will be undertaking a graduate degree in Oklahoma, having graduted in December with a public relations degree. His 26-2 record as a starter is enviable but this season he's been a backup to Tua Tagovailoa since the Heisman Trophy finalist replaced him in the 2018 National Championship game. Hurts' classy reaction to that benching and his refusal to transfer mid-year has made him a cult hero for the Crimson Tide.
Hurts will be excited to get back under center and develop further under Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley, who has recently helped both Kyler Murray and his predecessor Baker Mayfield become highly coverted by NFL general managers.
In the short term he offers the Sooners a top-level, experienced replacement for Murray. News of his arrival has also shortened the odds on Oklahoma winning the National Championship next season, with their price coming in from +2000 to +1600 since the news. Despite that shift they are still a long way behind Hurts' former team Alabama, who are favorites at +200.
Current National Championship Odds:
Alabama +200
Clemson +250
Georgia +750
Ohio State +1400
Oklahoma +1600
Michigan +2000
By Sam Farley