Jalen Hurts struck gold on Monday, agreeing to a five-year, $255 million contract extension with the Eagles. But the Pro Bowl quarterback hasn’t taken a predictable path to being the NFL’s highest-paid superstar.
In fact, his financial achievement is notable mostly because of the roller-coaster ride that preceded it. Here’s a timeline of Hurts’ journey from confident freshman to benched college QB to emergent face of the NFL: June 5, 2015: A four-star recruit from Channelview High School in Texas, Jalen Hurts commits to playing college football at Alabama.
Aug. 17, 2016: Hurts takes some of his first steps on campus as a member of the Crimson Tide. At age 17, he carries himself like he “owns the building,” seeking to send a message to Alabama’s other QBs: he’s here to win at all costs. Sept. 3, 2016: Halfway through the first quarter of Alabama’s season opener, Hurts takes over for QB Blake Barnett and leads a 52-6 rout of USC — the most lopsided opening-day loss by the Trojans in school history.
Sept. 10, 2016: Hurts becomes the first true freshman to start at QB for Alabama since Vince Sutton in 1984. Dec. 31, 2016: Hurts leads Alabama to the College Football Playoff National Championship after guiding a 14-0 record, including the Iron Bowl and SEC title game, and setting school records for total touchdowns (36) and QB rushing yards (954).
Jan. 9, 2017: Hurts and the Crimson Tide fall to Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers in a 35-31 national-title defeat. Jan. 1, 2018: Hurts guides Alabama back to the national championship with a 12-1 finish as a sophomore, including a Sugar Bowl victory in which he won offensive MVP. Jan. 8, 2018: Trailing 13-0 to Georgia at halftime of the national championship, Hurts is benched for freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa, who proceeds to lead Alabama to a 26-23 overtime victory, sealing the comeback with a walk-off TD pass.
Sept. 3, 2018: Tagovailoa is officially named Alabama’s starting QB for the 2018 season, leaving Hurts to play a limited rotational role. Dec. 1, 2018: Hurts replaces an injured Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship, scoring two TDs in a 10-minute span to lead a 38-35 comeback victory and seal a fourth straight national title-game appearance for Alabama.
Jan. 7, 2019: Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide suffer a 44-19 national championship loss to Trevor Lawrence and Clemson, with Hurts on the bench. Jan. 16, 2019: Hurts announces that he will transfer to Oklahoma for a senior season of eligibility as a graduate student. Sept. 1, 2019: In his first game with the Sooners, Hurts sets a school record with 508 total yards in a 49-31 victory over Houston.
