Even though Jalen Hurts plays for the University of Oklahoma now, University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban still holds a high opinion of the star quarterback — both as a player and a person.
In an ESPN Radio interview last week, Saban talked about Hurts’ impressive on-the-field achievements so far for the Sooners this season.
This came before Oklahoma lost to Kansas State 48-41 on Saturday. However, Hurts was pretty much faultless even in that losing effort. He completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 395 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He also ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns.
Speaking on Hurts’ stellar play, Saban said, “[It] doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“You know, Jalen’s a very mature guy — great competitor,” he continued, adding Hurts has a “unique skillset and improved dramatically last year (while at Alabama) — when he wasn’t playing– as a passer.”
Saban also emphasized that Hurts’ success has been made possible by his exemplary character.
“I’m actually happy for the guy,” the coach said.
“There’s never been a guy that anywhere in college football that did things more correctly and set a better example as a leader than Jalen Hurts did while he was here by staying here after he was replaced as a starter,” Saban advised.
RELATED: Jalen Hurts on 2018 national championship benching: ‘That day made me who I am’
He concluded, “So, you know, I have the utmost respect for this guy as a person and a competitor — and glad to see him doing well.”
Alabama HC Nick Saban is not surprised that his former QB Jalen Hurts has been successful at Oklahoma this season.
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— Golic and Wingo (@GolicAndWingo) October 24, 2019
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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