Family, Florida State on Jalen Hurts' mind heading into opener
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Less than a week before one of the biggest games of his career, Jalen Hurts’ mind ventures to two different places.
There’s Atlanta, where he will lead No. 1 Alabama in its season opener against No. 3 Florida State on Saturday night. That’s where the starting quarterback would like his thoughts to be. Then there’s home, where the images of flooding across the Houston area are almost impossible to escape.
“It's tough just seeing the freeways are flooded, a lot of stuff going down,” Hurts said. “I've seen a picture where water is up to a stoplight, like 20 feet in the air. All we can do is stay strong and keep them in our prayers."
Read: Tuesday Scoop, intel from Tuscaloosa
Watch: Nick Saban's Monday Press Conference
A native of East Houston, it's hard for Hurts not to think of his loved ones and their well being. As of Monday, none of the sophomore’s family was affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. Still, news of the storm which could dump as much as 50 inches of rain over Texas is unsettling.
“A lot of stuff going down there, but I'm praying for them and keeping them in my prayers,” Hurts said. “I'll definitely be playing for them Saturday."
Hurts calls his parents a couple times a day to check in, although the reports have remained the same. Other than being stuck at home due to flooding on surrounding streets, his family is dry and out of danger.
“It’s a deal where he understands we are OK,” Hurts’ father Averion Hurts told BamaInsider. “Worrying doesn’t solve anything, so there’s no need for him to worry. There’s nothing he could do even if we took water in the house.”
It’s not that Averion doesn’t appreciate his son’s concern, it’s just that he knows Jalen has a different storm to weather.
Averion, who served as Jalen’s head coach at Channelview High School, is aware of the importance Saturday’s opener holds for his son. Despite winning the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award while becoming the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama since 1984, Jalen came under much scrutiny this offseason as some questioned his downfield passing ability.
Read: Three and out: Depth chart released, injury updates & two top safeties
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound sophomore eliminated much of that criticism during Alabama’s A-Day game, where he completed 16 of 25 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. However, until he shows his improvement against an opponent in a real game, there will still be doubters.
“People can say whatever, but the last time I checked the more you play a game the easier it comes and the better you are,” Averion said. “There’s never a freshman quarterback that plays as well as a sophomore, junior or senior. Every year the game slows down. It’s a case where he’s gone through all these things before.
“It’s kind of like what we are going through in Houston. It’s like going through a storm if you’ve never been through a storm before. You have no idea what to expect. Jalen’s been through it, so he’s seen some of the things and weathered the storm.”
Saturday’s matchup against Florida State will be quite the storm indeed. Not only do the Seminoles return most of a front seven which finished No. 2 in the nation with 51 sacks last season, they also feature a secondary which includes preseason All-Americans Tavarus McFadden and Derwin James.
"They're fast, physical, a lot of range, tall,” Jalen said. “Good defense."
During his Monday news conference, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said he has noticed an improvement in both accuracy and decision-making in his quarterbacks. This offseason Jalen worked with first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, establishing more maturity as a passer.
The sophomore believes that knowledge and experience will be key Saturday night.
“I wasn’t the starter Week 1 of last year,” said Jalen, who entered last season’s opener against Southern California late in the first quarter. “My number was called and I had to answer the phone and played alright. Now, we’re going into the game, got business to take care of and I have to lead the team. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
So is Averion, who still plans on making the trip along with Jalen’s mother, Pamela, to cheer on their son inside the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As of Monday, the plan is for the couple to fly out to Atlanta on Friday. While the weather could still hamper the family’s plans, Jalen said he doesn’t care where his parents watch the game from as long as they are safe.
From there, the star quarterback can handle the rest.
“The thing I’ve always told him is he’s built for this,” Averion said. “He’s built for the journey that he’s on. That’s something God gave him, he can handle anything.”