Jalen Hurts transferring from Alabama: 10 potential transfer destinations

Jalen Hurts is transferring from Alabama and is college football’s hottest free agent.

One year after many believed he’d leave Alabama, Jalen Hurts is transferring away and will look to finish his career as a grad transfer elsewhere. The news was first reported by CBS Sports’ and 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons.

Hurts was the starter as a true freshman and for all of his sophomore year, leading Alabama to the National Championship Game both years. But it was his benching in the second half of the National Championship vs. Georgia when Tua Tagovailoa came in to lead the Tide to victory that signaled the end of Hurts’ time in Tuscaloosa could be near.

Hurts did not leave last season when many believed he’d seek a new opportunity elsewhere and instead backed up Tagovailoa and played in spot duty throughout the year, including leading Alabama to the game-winning touchdown after Tagovailoa was hurt in the SEC Championship vs. Georgia.

Hurts will have plenty of suitors, especially considering he has already graduated and will be eligible to play right away.

Back in April, Hurts’ father was not shy about speaking up about his son and the number of interested teams that would want to be their field general. He claimed that if Hurts lost the starting gig to Tagovailoa, he would be the biggest free agent in college football history. That is now the case with Hurts essentially being a “free agent” to sign and play right away.

Teams with an immediate need at quarterback that could make some sense for Hurts include, but not limited to, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, Maryland and TCU.

The latter is in the home state of Hurts and the Horned Frogs need help at the position. Maryland is where former Alabama offensive coordinator, Mike Locksley is now the head coach.

Tennessee has former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as the head coach so there’s some familiarity there and the Vols could use an upgrade under center.

Auburn has had success with transfer quarterbacks in the recent past (Cam Newton, Nick Marshall, Jarrett Stidham) but the chances of going to the Iron Bowl rival is slim.

Miami regressed mightily last year under Malik Rosier and N’Kosi Perry is not the answer. Could first-year head coach Manny Diaz try to coax him to Coral Gables?

Beyond those initial five, Houston, Arizona, UCLA, Louisville and West Virginia could be in the market for him.

Expect interest in Hurts to pick up over the coming days as teams across the country try to get their hands on a starting quarterback with national championship experience for one of the top two teams in the nation.