Second chances don’t often come around in the NFL, but the Eagles Quarterback gets one this season with an opportunity to not only win a Super Bowl for Philadelphia but to beat the team that bested him last time around.
You’d be forgiven if you don’t know too much about Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia has been all about the run game this season with tush pushes & brotherly shoves.
Jalen hasn’t been required to throw the ball much this season and his stats reflect that. He finished the regular season 20th in yards (2,903) and 20th in touchdown passes (20th) but the ground game is where he and the Eagles have been strongest. Hurts finished with 14 rushing touchdowns this season, the most by any QB and the 5th most in the league (14, one more than his RB Saquon Barkley) when you compare him to running backs.
He may seem very nonchalant at times but when you peel back the layers there is way more than meets the eye when it comes to Hurts.
Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Jalen Hurts.
1. His Dad was his High School Coach
Born in Texas, Hurts attended and played football for Channelview High School where his father Averion was the coach.
In his Senior Year, Hurts threw for 2,384 yards, 26 touchdowns and also ran for 1,391 yards and scored 25 TDs of his own.
That was enough for him to be rated a four star recruit and attract interest from Colleges such as Texas A&M and Alabama.
2. He Made History in Alabama.
There’s been some very famous Quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide over the years but in 2016, Hurts became the first true-freshman to lead Alabama since Vince Sutton in 1984.
He had an incredible first year in Alabama too, throwing for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with 954 yards and 13 TDs on the ground. It was enough to earn him SEC Freshman of the year and a spot in the all SEC Team.
3. He Was a Record Breaker in Oklahoma
With Tua, Mac Jones and Hurts in the QB Room, it was not looking like Hurts would keep his starting spot at Alabama.
In 2019, Jalen announced he would be transferring to the University of Oklahoma to have one last year of College before declaring for the NFL.
In his Sooners Debut, Hurts broke Oklahoma’s Total Offensive Yardage record. Previously held by Baker Mayfield with 396 Yards. Hurts’ 508 combined passing and rushing yard numbers blew Mayfield’s record out of the water.
4. He Finished Second in Heisman Voting in 2019
Yes he had a good first game but the rest of his season was just as good. Hurts lead the Sooners to the College Football playoffs with 3,851 Pass Yards, 32 TDs, 1,298 Rushing Yards and 20 Rushing touchdowns.
Oklahoma’s season came to an end when the met Joe Burrow’s star studded LSU team in the Peach Bowl. Oklahoma went down 63-28 and LSU went on to win the National Championship.
Hurts came second to Burrow in the Heisman voting that season but it was the largest margin of defeat in Heisman voting history. Burrow finished with 90.7% of first place votes.
5. He Knows His Way Around A Weightroom
Hurts is an absolute beast on the field and in the gym. Before committing to Alabama, it was alleged that hurts could benchpress 275 pounds (124kgs).
Video of Jalen squatting 265Kgs at Oklahoma went viral in 2019 and the QB can also deadlift 281Kgs.
Quarterbacks don’t do the bench press at the NFL Combine but you’d imagine Jalen would probably hold all the records if they did.
6. He Can Cook
During a pre Super Bowl press conference, Hurts said if he wasn’t an elite athlete he could be a Professional Crawfish Cooker.
I haven’t seen that job listed on Seek but if he’s as good as he says he is, restaurants might create a role for him.
7. He Does His Daily Affirmations
As part of his daily routine. Hurts says that he reflects on his day in a journal he keeps. Every day he records what he’s grateful for Daily journaling. Every day, Jalen writes down what he is grateful for in his journal.
8. Music is a Big Part of His Life
A big fan of the classics, Hurts says Frankie Beverly is his favourite artist ever.
When you have as much disposable income as an NFL QB, you probably can afford to have a huge vinyl collection.
9. He Has Some Serious Chemistry With His Receivers
Hurts and wide receiver Devonta Smith have made some huge plays this season. They’re an incredible combination and it probably has a fair bit to do with their history.
Hurts and Smith were Alabama team mates and have once again linked up in the NFL.
Both hailing from the South, Hurts said in an interview he once cooked pig’s feet for Smith in their time at college.
Will we see these two combine in a big way on Monday?
10. He is already 3rd all time for QB rushing TDs
In just five seasons, Hurts has already rushed for 55 touchdowns, that’s more than the likes of Michael Vick (36) who was famous for being a dual threat and way more than two time MVP Lamar Jackson (33) who is known more for his rushing ability than his passing and has the record for most ever rushing yards by a QB.
Philadelphia’s new Tush Push play was made for him and he’s just 10 rushing touchdowns behind Bills’ QB Josh Allen (65) who’s been in the league two years longer than him and Cam Newton (75) who has the most in league history and played for 11 seasons.
If Philly continue to play the way they do for years to come, Hurts will easily sit on top of that TD leaderboard himself.