A lot has changed at the University of Alabama this offseason, at least from the offensive side of the ball. After Steve Sarkisian's quick, surprising exit and Brian Daboll's surprising arrival, star quarterback Jalen Hurts has been somewhat lost in the shuffle.
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Although Hurts was very effective on the ground for the Crimson Tide last season, fans and coaches are hoping the Heisman hopeful makes a leap in the passing department in Year 2 under center for the Nick Saban's club.
Via Bama Line:
"He still has the ability to run, he still can make plays with his feet, but that's not what we want to focus on right now," Saban said of Hurts in his post-practice press conference Monday. "I think he's kind of bought into that and done a really good job with it."
It's clear the new offensive coaches, along with Saban, want to move away from what made Hurts and the offense very effective on the ground last season with Lane Kiffin and Sarkisian.
"Decision-making, 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 said. "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 threw for 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2016-17, but he'll have to build off that in 2017-18 to really get him into the Heisman conversation.
The Crimson Tide's spring game, A-Day, is scheduled for Apr. 22 at 2:00 CT.
