2019 Heisman Trophy: Making the case for Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts

Graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts is a big reason the Oklahoma Sooners are back in the College Football Playoff. Here is his Heisman Trophy case.

Oklahoma looks to make it three years in a row with the Heisman after Jalen Hurts was named a finalist.

Hurts was already one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history heading into 2019. He was a two-time SEC Champion, a national champion, First-Team All-SEC, SEC Offensive Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year while starring for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2016-2018. However, his time in Tuscaloosa was up after last season.

Because he carried himself with tremendous class, Hurts left Alabama a hero and use his last year of collegiate eligibility to his liking. Hurts opted to transfer to the Oklahoma Sooners and play for the greatest offensive-mind in college football in Lincoln Riley. In Riley’s first two years leading Oklahoma, his starting quarterback has won the Heisman Trophy. Hurts is feeling a trifecta.

While he was more of a run-first, game-manager at quarterback in Alabama, Hurts has thrived in Riley’s Air Raid system. Hurts has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 3,684 yards, 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is averaging an impressive 11.8 yards per passing attempt and boasting a ridiculous 200.3 passer efficiency rating in his senior season at Oklahoma.

Keep in mind Hurts never threw for over 3,000 yards in a season during his two years as Alabama’s starter. His completion percentage was never above 63 percent when he was running the Crimson Tide offense. Hurts’ yards per passing attempt is over 3.5 yards better than his best season at Alabama. His passing efficiency rating is over 50 points better by comparison.

And no, he hasn’t just been a revolutionized pocket passer playing for the Sooners. In 13 games, Hurts has rushed for 1,255 yards on 219 carries for 18 touchdowns. He’s as good as he ever was running the ball for Sooners, as he’s averaging roughly the same yards per carry as he did at his best with the Crimson Tide. Hurts even has two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown this year.

Yes, Hurts has the numbers to have finally earned his spot at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Of course, his Sooners are the No. 4 team in the land, winning yet another Big 12 Championship and playing in the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in five seasons. But it is Hurts’ character, perseverance, determination and overall collegiate body of work that makes his Heisman case.

Men like Hurts is what college football is all about. He plays hard every single snap, always giving his team a chance to win and win big. When personal sacrifices were needed to be made, Hurts was a better man than most and accepted his new role as Tua Tagovailoa‘s backup. When he needed to leave one Power 5 blue-blood for another to get his best last shot, Hurts made the most of it.

It may be a longshot for anybody not named Joe Burrow to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy, but if there is any other man who is deserving of the award, it has to be Hurts. He may never win the Heisman and he may never be a First-Team All-American, but Hurts’ college football journey is one of the most magnificent we’ve ever seen. He’s a winner if there ever was such a thing.

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