Could Jalen Hurts really transfer to Nebraska?
If Jalen Hurts ends up transferring from Alabama, could he land in the Big Ten at Nebraska?
Jalen Hurts has appeared in the last two national title games for Alabama, and he as 26-2 record as the starter for Nick Saban. But true freshman Tua Tagovailoa took over in the second half against Georgia in January and played very well, setting up a competition for the starting job heading into this season.
Tagovailoa is dealing with a hand injury that will keep him out of this weekend’s spring game. So Hurts will be able to at least participate, and perhaps get a leg up in the competition for the starting job.
Saban keeps players from talking to the media, and he had a commitment from East Carolina grad transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew before he flipped to Washington State. But Hurts’ dad spoke with Bleacher Report, and hinted strongly his son would transfer if he did not win the starting job for the Crimson Tide.
"Coach Saban’s job is to do what’s best for his team. I have no problem with that,” Averion Hurts said. “My job is to do what’s best for Jalen—and make no mistake, Jalen is a quarterback, and he wants to play quarterback. He loves Alabama, loves Coach Saban and everything about that place. But he wants to play, and he will play…”Averion stops mid-sentence because the idea of his son not playing for Alabama isn’t one he takes lightly. What if Jalen doesn’t win the job, he is asked?He shakes his head slowly, answers begrudgingly. “Well, he’d be the biggest free agent in college football history."
A lot of schools would be glad to have Hurts if he leaves Alabama. As laid out by our own Cornhuskers’ blog, Husker Corner, Nebraska lost 2017 starter Tanner Lee to the NFL and will lack depth and experience under center. That makes Hurts a potential fit.
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With Scott Frost returning to Lincoln as coach, the Cornhuskers have a measure of credibility and appeal they haven’t enjoyed in a long time. But if Hurts decides to leave Alabama and keeps his options fully open, there would be an opportunity for him at Nebraska.