Jalen Hurts transferring to Oklahoma is a godsend for Lincoln Riley

Jalen Hurts is leaving Alabama and transferring to Oklahoma where he could continue their run of transfers who won the Heisman Trophy.

For the third year in a row, a transfer quarterback will be the starter for Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners as Jalen Hurts is transferring from Alabama to play for the reigning Big 12 champions. Hurts announced his plans to transfer to Oklahoma in a post for The Players Tribune.

"“I’ve decided to take my talents to the University of Oklahoma, where I will continue my development as both a quarterback and as a student. I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity, and I’m excited for the journey ahead.”"

Hurts leaves Alabama where he started for two years and led the Crimson Tide to a 26-2 record and two appearances in the National Championship Game. Hurts backed up Tua Tagovailoa in 2018 after he was benched at halftime of the championship game two years ago.

He played sparingly in 2018 but came off the bench to lead Alabama to the game-winning score to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game to get in the College Football Playoff. Hurts played his final game for Alabama late in the championship game loss to Clemson on Jan. 7 and announced his intention to transfer shortly thereafter.

Hurts will have an easy path to the starting job for the Sooners with Austin Kendall transferring and will allow incoming five-star freshman Spencer Rattler to redshirt so he can watch and learn and develop while Hurts tries to continue Oklahoma’s recent string of transfers who win the Heisman.

Last season saw Kyler Murray win the Heisman after transferring from Texas A&M. The year before that was Baker Mayfield winning the Heisman after he transferred from Texas Tech.

Could Hurts make it a three-peat for Oklahoma signal-callers?

He’ll be competing with former teammate, Tagovailoa and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, among others, but if Hurts is able to develop as a downfield passer in Riley’s offense and continue making plays with his feet he made so frequently in his time at Alabama, Hurts will be squarely in the mix.

Individual accolades is secondary to Hurts who could have pursued individual glory last season when Tagovailoa beat him for the Alabama starting job. What’s really important to Hurts is the team and winning. With Hurts under center, Oklahoma will have a quarterback with a better track record of success than both Murray and Mayfield combined.

Hurts along with the returning running backs, Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon should see Oklahoma run a bit more frequently and punish teams with the rushing attack as Riley’s offense evolves from what’s been seen the last two years in Norman.

Oklahoma should remain the favorites to win the Big 12 with Hurts and has a great chance to return to the College Football Playoff where a potential matchup with Alabama could be on the horizon.