20 college football players who should be highly paid in 2017

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2 of 20

TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the second half against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

19. Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama

College Football Playoff performance aside, Hurts is one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the country and would certainly draw a big paycheck from the Crimson Tide.

A four-star recruit from the Houston area, Hurts was pegged as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks in the class of 2016 and committed to Alabama well ahead of signing day. Hurts quickly exceeded expectations by becoming the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama since Vince Sutton in 1984 just two weeks into the season.

After Blake Barnett failed to move the Crimson Tide offense in the first three drives of the season opener against USC, Hurts piled up four touchdowns off the bench to lead a 52-6 route of the eventual Rose Bowl champions. Hurts predictably kept the starting job the rest of the season and went on to win SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors with 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns to nine interceptions.

While the Crimson Tide are always going to be thought of as a run-first team under Nick Saban, Hurts instantly developed into a dynamic offensive weapon given his ability to on the ground. The true freshman struggled against Washington and Clemson, two defenses loaded with NFL-caliber talent, but has a great chance to lead Alabama back to the playoff with a year of experience under his belt.

Saban erased any doubt that phenom recruit Tua Tagovailoa would challenge for first-string reps by naming Hurts the sure starter ahead of fall camp. Hurts’ deal could compare to the $7.5 million earned in 2016 by Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, another talented young quarterback that found success as a true freshman in college.

Home/College Football