Alabama or Oklahoma? Analysts debate which program was most influential in Jalen Hurts' journey to becoming Super Bowl MVP
Jalen Hurts just did the unthinkable. A dominant performance against one of the best teams to ever grace the NFL, the former Alabama Crimson Tide and Oklahoma Sooners QB outplayed Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to capture his first ring and a Super Bowl MVP. So the time has come to debate. Which blue […]
Jalen Hurts just did the unthinkable.
A dominant performance against one of the best teams to ever grace the NFL, the former Alabama Crimson Tide and Oklahoma Sooners QB outplayed Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to capture his first ring and a Super Bowl MVP.
So the time has come to debate. Which blue blood program had the biggest impact on Hurts' development from benched to beloved?
Let's talk about it…
Rob Gregson: Alabama
Yes, was Hurts ultimately benched in a national championship game of all spots, watching his team go on to win without him under center. But Hurts stayed the course and was a pivotal factor in Alabama's SEC Championship win a year later before transferring to Oklahoma.
The lessons he learned at the Capstone have propelled him to overcome all the obstacles and adversity he's faced in his football journey. Going from the star freshman to benched, to doubted prospect, to Super Bowl loser, to Super Bowl MVP, has to be thanks in part to the teachings of Nick Saban and his time at Alabama.
“Sometimes you have to accept that you have to wait your turn…I’m that same kid that went to the National Championship and lost and went back and got benched and had to transfer and had to go through this just unprecedented journey,” Hurts said after the Super Bowl. “That kid always kept the main thing, the main thing and always was true to his vision and what he saw.”
Ian Valentino: Alabama
I'll zig from the crowd and say that Hurts' affiliation should be more aligned with Alabama. Sure, Hurts almost won the Heisman with Oklahoma, but the eventual Super Bowl MVP cut his teeth with Nick Saban. That included winning a national championship in 2017 and joining a rare company by logging both accomplishments.
Hurts may not have finished that national title game as Tua Tagovailoa tossed the winning touchdown, but the Tide wouldn't have reached that game without Hurts. He was on the roster for an incredible 41-3 run over three seasons and showed incredible improvement across that time. Without that stretch, Hurts wouldn't have earned the chance to play at Oklahoma and continue developing.
Time served, snaps played, and impact on the program all tilt toward Hurts being an Alabama player more than being a one-year mercenary at Oklahoma before it was cool to transfer around every year. His accomplishments at Oklahoma were awesome, but the Tide can take pride in being instrumental in his growth.
AJ Schulte: Oklahoma
I think the Sooners have the only case for Hurts. It was his work there in Norman under Lincoln Riley that saw him become even draftable as a quarterback in the first place. Before he transferred to the Sooners, Hurts was the backup who got benched for his poor ability as a passer that many believed was more running back than quarterback. He won games, but fans clamored for him to be benched for Tua the whole season. We all remember watching Calvin Ridley as a prospect battle inaccurate passes every week from Hurts. His best game with the Tide came in his final one where he came in as the backup. He wasn't thought of favorably until he led that comeback in the SEC title game.
While he was far from perfect with Oklahoma, he was a Heisman runner-up who led the team to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff bid. Hurts led the country in yards per attempt and finished in the top ten nationwide in virtually every passing metric. His growth and development during his time with the Sooners set the stage for Hurts to become the player he is. Without his year with the Sooners, Hurts probably isn’t even on the Eagles’ roster today! In my opinion, it shouldn’t even be a debate between the two schools. Oklahoma was the most pivotal school for Hurts's development into a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Justin Churchill: Oklahoma
I think I kind of have to take Oklahoma here as the school that has been lost influential to Jalen Hurts. You can argue that he learned the most from his time at Alabama, where he likely learned to win there at the biggest stage, while also learning from his mistakes that got him benched. However, it’s important to look at what Oklahoma did for him after that. Lincoln Riley put him in a position to win and play Heisman-worthy football. Norman is where he had the opportunity to show and prove that he learned from his mistakes, and boy did he. Hurts was awesome in his two Super Bowl appearances, and now has a MVP award to go along with one.
Tiebreaker: Travis May, Oklahoma
Jalen Hurts, Super Bowl LIX MVP and champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, belongs to both Alabama and Oklahoma history. However, when it comes to the credit and attribution of his NFL accolades, they have to rest with the Sooners.
First off, there's no magical exceptions. Every future record and conversation alluding to Hurts' come-up in the league will include the phrase "drafted out of Oklahoma", not Alabama. This is the case with every single player in NFL history. We don't credit Butte Community College for Aaron Rodgers nor Reedley Community College for Josh Allen. Not to besmirch the good name of Alabama comparing them to the likes of community colleges, but the final school that player(s) attended is always the one credited for the draft stock (and future successes).
Second, Alabama essentially forced Jalen Hurts out the door as they moved on to their Tua Tagovailoa era. While Hurts did plenty of great things with the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban and company had no interest in starting him for his final two seasons eligibility. Had he entered the draft following his Alabama career his NFL outcome is likely completely different because of how things ended in Tuscaloosa.
And lastly, under the tutelage of Lincoln Riley, Jalen Hurts put together his most impressive collegiate season by far with the Oklahoma Sooners; not Alabama. Hurts tossed 32 touchdowns, nearly passing 4000 yards, and ran for over 1400 yards while posting 95th percentile efficiency metrics across the board in his single Sooners season.
It's settled. Jalen Hurts. Oklahoma Sooners great.
Editors note: Just because Travis attempted to besmirch Alabama's name, doesn't mean Jalen Hurts does. In fact, when introducing himself on Sunday Night Football, he goes one of two routes.. "Jalen Hurts, Roll Sooners," or "Jalen Hurts, Channelview High School."
Safe to say he's not picking sides.
