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Jalen Hurt’s second chance this season for the Sooners

Jalen Hurts didn’t walk away from Alabama’s football program when he lost his job to Tua Tagavailoa.

Despite a 26-2 record as the Crimson Tide’s starter, Hurts was supplanted by a younger player with a better arm – in a national championship game to add to the sting. Tagavailoa pulled out an overtime win over Georgia and that put the hurt on Hurts.

It speaks to the way Bama collects talent and the ruthless, relentless nature of the game at the highest level. Nothing matters but winning.

Yet Hurts stayed on through last season, and Alabama again reached the College Football Playoff championship, where it lost to Clemson.

After that, he looked out for himself. He accepted an offer to go to Oklahoma as a graduate transfer. Nice choice. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley helped last two quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, also both transfers and later overall No. 1 NFL draft picks) become Heisman Trophy winners. Now Hurts may be able to help Oklahoma to a fourth straight CFP appearance and another Heisman.

Hurts enjoyed a dynamic debut in Norman, Oklahoma, on Sunday night. He completed 20 of 23 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 176 yards on 13 attempts, scoring three times. Oklahoma, which began the season ranked fourth nationally, defeated Houston 49-31.

“I’m back where I’m supposed to be,” Hurt said after piling up 508 total yards.

He’s a terrific talent. He’s a team captain. He accepted what came his way with dignity and emerged with more room to grow and the perfect coach to see that he does.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman