Alabama expected to redshirt Jalen Hurts who will then transfer
As Tua Tagovailoa takes over as Alabama’s quarterback, Jalen Hurts has a way to preserve some eligibility thanks to a new rule.
Nick Saban clearly doesn’t want to address it, ever, but Tua Tagovailoa is clearly the best Alabama quarterback right now. That doesn’t mean Jalen Hurts won’t be needed though, as he’s seeing some playing time in a second straight blowout win for the Crimson Tide to start the season.
Hurts has clearly not been thrilled with losing his starting job, and he was openly unhappy with how the preseason competition between he and Tagovailoa was handled. Saban had no time for the latter “rhetoric” from Hurts, while also clearly wanting to make sure a guy who’s 26-2 as a starter doesn’t transfer.
But an interesting development surfaced on Saturday morning. According to Aaron Suttles of The Athletic and 94.5 WJOX radio, Hurts is expected to take a redshirt this year unless Tagovailoa is injured.
Our own @AaronSuttles tells us expect Jalen Hurts to be redshirted this season unless Tua is injured. @3ManFront pic.twitter.com/xthD6kKr8P
— Pat Smith (@patsmithradio) September 7, 2018
A new NCAA rule this year allows players to play up to four games in a season and still maintain the ability to be redshirted. The rule was surely meant to primarily benefit younger players by being able to extend their eligibility, but Hurts can’t be faulted for seeing how he can use it to his advantage.
Since he is playing Saturday against Arkansas State, Hurts will only have two more appearances left before he’d exhaust the ability to be redshirted by taking another snap this year. That could lead to a flat-out refusal to enter a game, but more likely, will prevent Hurts from being included in the gameplan for several SEC opponents. He may not play again until the Iron Bowl vs. Auburn to leave a game open in the Playoff or SEC Championship Game.
Related Story. 5 potential transfer destinations for Jalen Hurts. light
Hurts is scheduled to graduate from Alabama in December, so if (when?) he transfers he’d be immediately eligible next year. But taking a redshirt for this year, if circumstances clear that path, would give him two years of eligibility at a new school and nothing would stop him from going elsewhere in the SEC.