When Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts lost his starting job to sophomore Tua Tagovailoa, the rumor mill began to churn that the Crimson Tide's former starting QB would leave Tuscaloosa. While the outside noise attempted to speak controversy and doubt into existence, Hurts stood strong with the University of Alabama, helped his team finish with an undefeated record, and knocked off the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game. Now, he'll always be able to call himself an Alabama graduate.
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Hurts received his undergraduate degree in public relations during the university's winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, and when the beloved football star heard his name called on stage, the crowd showed their love for the Houston, Texas native with an incredible ovation.
When the 6-foot-2, 218-pound quarterback received his degree, the Crimson Tide faithful roared as a kid who could have bailed on the university stayed and earned his spot in the hearts and minds of the Alabama faithful forever.
Standing ovation when he takes the field. Standing ovation when he walks the stage. Congrats + a big #RollTide to the legend himself, @JalenHurts 💪 #BamaGrad #WhereLegendsAreMade pic.twitter.com/aq6AnaHKqw
— The University of Alabama (@UofAlabama) December 15, 2018
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The first freshman to start at quarterback in head coach Nick Saban's career can take his 26-2 career record as a starting quarterback on the road next season. As a graduate transfer, Hurts is able to jump to another program and compete immediately with one year of college football eligibility remaining.
Next year, potential transfer destinations for Hurts could be Florida Atlantic, where head coach Lane Kiffin helped recruit Hurts when he coached at Alabama, or even Kansas, where former LSU head coach Les Miles is looking to reboot his Big 12 program. With a new conference rule in place, Hurts could potentially land at another SEC program like the University of Florida, where quarterback is a regular nightmare, or with coach Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers
Then again, something tells me he's going to stay as far away from the Plains as possible.
If You Only Knew What It Took. Beyond Blessed!#AllGlory2God #BlackExcellence pic.twitter.com/0MZzvvccAl
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) December 15, 2018
For now, Hurts will work with his Alabama Crimson Tide teammates to knock off the Oklahoma Sooners, then take care of either the Clemson Tigers or Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their quest for back-to-back trips to the College Football Playoff national championship game.
No matter what he chooses next season, Jalen Hurts will forever be a graduate of the University of Alabama and one of the most beloved football players in Crimson Tide history.
