TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Around this time last year, Ronnie Harrison had Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts figured out. The starting free safety preyed on the then true freshman, reading him like a book while intercepting multiple passes during Hurts’ first few practices with the team
What a difference a year makes.
Harrison found that out this spring as he became the victim of his own medicine. Watching Harrison from behind center, the now experienced Hurts waited patiently, studying the safety to determine if he would creep down to cover a shorter route or stay back.
Despite Harrison’s best efforts to hide his intentions, he was a sitting duck.
Realizing Harrison was coming in for the play, Hurts pump-faked before dropping in a pass right over the safety’s head for a long gain downfield. For Harrison, the question as to how Hurts has progressed in the passing game was answered at that moment.
“I was like, ‘Dang, Jalen’s coming along,’” Harrison said.
There’s no question Hurts will be Alabama’s quarterback this fall. Any notion of a battle between him and either of the Crimson Tide’s two early enrollees, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones, was dispelled by head coach Nick Saban earlier this spring.
Hurts athletic ability isn’t in question either. The reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 954 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns while also completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions. His 36 combined touchdowns broke the school record of 35 set by Blake Sims in 2014.
If there’s a knock on Hurts it’s been his maturity as a passer. When asked earlier this week what he wants to see from his starting quarterback in Saturday’s scrimmage, the first words out of Saban’s mouth were “decision-making.”
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“Getting the ball out of his hand more quickly, not looking at the rush, not drifting in the pocket, reading and having his eyes in the right place relative to the coverage and read that particular play has,” Saban continued. “I think those are the things that are fundamentally what we're trying to get him to improve on, and I think he's doing a much better job in that regard.”
Hurts isn’t one to wait, as evidenced by the quick start to his college career. Following a disappointing performance in Alabama’s national championship defeat to Clemson earlier this year, he didn’t waste time licking his wounds.
“Right after the championship game, I said 'My season starts on the 10th,”' Hurts said. “And, on the 10th, Coach Saban got in touch with me and was like 'OK, this is what we need to improve on.' And we've been working on it ever since the 10th of January.”
The results have been noticeable.
“He’s really slinging the ball right now,” Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said. “Having Coach (Brian) Daboll back there really coach him up, we’ve seen a lot progression from Jalen so it’s been good.”
Hurts himself has noticed a change in his game this spring, stating things have “slowed down” on the field. The quarterback isn’t the only one saying that either. Following the Tide’s first practice of spring camp, offensive analyst Alex Mortensen went up to Hurts to tell him he had seen an improvement.
“He saw me make a check and just do things we haven't covered yet, haven't got to,’” Hurts said. “It's just instinctive stuff I did and he noticed that. He said ‘It slowed down' and I was like ‘I guess it did.’”
Since coming to Alabama in December of 2015, Hurts has worked under three offensive coordinators, an experience he refers to as “an adventure.” Now working under newly hired Brian Daboll, the young quarterback said the two have already gelled nicely on the field.
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Of course playing under Daboll, who spent the past three seasons serving as the New England Patriots' tight ends coach, has its perks. Hurts said Daboll has already dialed up Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski for FaceTime interviews.
While talking to Brady is nice, Hurts seems more interested in running the same plays as the future Hall of Famer. So far, Hurts said Daboll hasn’t changed much in the Tide’s offense. However, when the offensive coordinator adds a new wrinkle, the quarterback is all ears.
“When you look at him, you're just like ‘He's done this. I'm going to listen to him,’” Hurts said. “Very respected.”
The oldest of Alabama’s quarterbacks, Hurts’ now finds his words carry more weight in the film room as well. Although, the rising sophomore is quick to point out that while he’s the “old guy” it isn’t by much.
Hurts is still growing, and that’s OK. He’s already proven he’s a fast learner.
