This weekend will be the 85th ceremony for the Heisman trophy in New York city. The Heisman Trophy is a prestigious award given to the best college football player in the country, as voted by selected voters. Every year finalist are selected and travel to New York to attend events and the award ceremony. Jalen hurts will be joined by LSU Quarterback Jor Burrow, Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields, and Ohio State defender Chase Young.
Currently, Jalen is playing big time football in Oklahoma, but it started right here in Texas at Channelview. Hurts played quarterback for the Channelview Falcons under Head Coach Averion Hurts, his Father. He also competed as a Power lifter, and even made it to the region finals in competition.
As a recruit, Jalen was evaluated as a dual threat quarterback. According to the 247 Sports rankings, he was the #1 ranked dual threat quarterback and 104 overall player. His style of play was similar to his time at Alabama. He was a true dual threat, racking up statistics both through the air and on the ground.
Jalen threw for 2,384 yards and 26 TD’s, and rushed for 1391 yards and 25 TD’s his Senior year. He was named District 21-6A MVP and led the Falcons to a 7-4 record on the season. Channelview would meet Manvel in the first round of the UIL Texas State Championship Playoffs, and fall 21-71. Manvel would then fall to Katy in the region final, who would end up winning it all.
His Junior season, he threw for 2545 yards and 21 TD’s, with 951 rushing yards and 19 TD’s. The district MVP was also awarded to Jalen that season, which was the first of his two MVP titles. The falcons would also finish the season 7-4.
Hurts wasn’t heavily recruited by some of the in state schools, such as Texas and TCU. He was offered and recruited by the Aggies. Eventually, Alabama Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin would convince Jalen to sign with the Tide.
It didn’t take long for Nick Nick Saban to find out they had something with Jalen, who would win the starting job as a true Freshman. His first year, Jalen was named SEC Freshman of the year, SEC Offensive Player of the year, and 1st team all SEC. Hurts led the tide to the College Football Playoff, but would lose on a last second touchdown by Clemson Quarterback, and current Houston Texans Quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
The next season, which would be his Sophomore season, Jalen would start all 14 games all the way back to the National Championship. This time he would face off with Georgia. The game did not start off well. Alabama could not move the ball on offense and would go into the half with no points. Nick Saban would then decide to go with true Freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who would bring them back to beat Georgia for the title.
All offseason, Tua would get alot of hype. There were talks that Jalen could transfer, and that Tua was already crowned the starter for the tide. All offseason, Coach Saban would constantly be questioned about Jalen and Tua. This Quarterback controversy was one of the leading subjects in all of college football. Jalen would decide to stay and compete for the job, but it was awarded to the Sophomore Tua Tagovailoa. It made sense for Hurts to stay because he would be graduating that year. If he had transferred, NCAA rules would make him sit out a season. Since he was graduating, he could grad transfer the next season and be eligible immediately. Jalen received his Degree in Communications, Public Relations, and become a hot commodity as a grad transfer.
Oklahoma was quickly a hot candidate. Former Allen Quarterback and 3 time state champ, Kyler Murray was coming off a Heisman Trophy season and entering the NFL Draft. Oklahoma was quickly becoming transfer Quarterback University, sending Lake Travis Quarterback Baker Mayfield to the NFL the year before that. The Sooners became the obvious choice for Jalen to use his last year of eligibility.
This season, Hurts has led the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship and a trip to the College Football Playoff. His former team Alabama missed the playoff this year. Jalen Hurts will face the #1 seed LSU tigers in the Peach Bowl December 28th. This Saturday, December 14th, he will attend the Heisman Trophy Ceremony as a Finalist in New York.
