Jalen Hurts was born on August 7, 1998 in Channelview, Texas to Pamela and Averion Hurts. He grew up with his two brothers Averion Jr. and Kaidon. Hurts attended Channelview High School, where he was a standout dual-threat quarterback on the football team.
As a sophomore in 2013, Hurts passed for 1,945 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,158 yards and 20 touchdowns. He helped lead Channelview to the Texas Class 6A playoffs that season. The following year as a junior, Hurts had a dominant season with over 2,500 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, over 1,400 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns.
Hurts entered his senior season in 2015 ranked as a four-star recruit and one of the top dual-threat quarterback prospects in the nation. He lived up to expectations by passing for 2,292 yards and 26 touchdowns with just four interceptions, while also rushing for 1,391 yards and 25 touchdowns. Hurts finished his high school career with over 10,000 yards of total offense.
High School Statistics
| Season | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophomore | 1,945 | 15 | 1,158 | 20 |
| Junior | 2,500+ | 25 | 1,400+ | 25 |
| Senior | 2,292 | 26 | 1,391 | 25 |
College Recruitment and Alabama Career
As a four-star recruit after his senior season, Hurts drew interest from top NCAA programs around the country. He ultimately committed to play football at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.
Over the next three seasons at Alabama from 2016-2018, Hurts was part of one of the most successful stretches in Crimson Tide history. He won SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman, then led Alabama to back-to-back national championship game appearances his sophomore and junior seasons.
Alabama Statistics and Accomplishments
- 26-2 record as starting QB
- SEC Offensive Player of Year (2016)
- SEC Champion (2016, 2018)
- National Championship appearance (2017, 2018)
- Over 7,600 yards of total offense
- 80 total touchdowns (passing and rushing)
After losing the starting job to Tua Tagovailoa midway through the 2018 championship season, Hurts decided to graduate transfer for his final college season. He chose to enroll at the University of Oklahoma.
Transfer to Oklahoma
The decision to transfer to Oklahoma proved fortuitous, as Hurts stepped into the starting quarterback role left vacant by back-to-back Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray. He quickly emerged as a Heisman contender in his own right under the tutelage of head coach Lincoln Riley.
During a remarkable 2019 senior season at Oklahoma, Hurts accounted for over 5,000 yards from scrimmage and 53 touchdowns. He led Oklahoma to a 12-1 record, Big 12 championship, and College Football Playoff appearance while finishing as the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Hurts earned second team All-American honors and was also a finalist for the Heisman, finishing second in the voting to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. His rare success at two elite college football powers solidified his status as a top NFL prospect.
Early NFL Career
Jalen Hurts declared for the 2020 NFL Draft following his standout senior season at Oklahoma. He was selected by his hometown Houston Texans in the second round with the 53rd overall pick.
In a stunning draft night trade, the Texans quickly dealt Hurts’ rights to the Philadelphia Eagles for multiple picks. The move reunited him with former Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who had become the Eagles’ head coach. It was initially expected that Hurts would serve as the backup to starting QB Carson Wentz.
Wentz struggled mightily during the 2020 season and Hurts eventually took over down the stretch. His strong play injected life into the sputtering Eagles and created a quarterback controversy heading into the 2021 offseason. Despite Wentz’s long-term contract, Philadelphia ultimately traded him and committed to Hurts as their starter for 2021.
Hurts rewarded the team’s faith with a breakout season during which he accounted for 35 total touchdowns and led the Eagles to the playoffs. He set franchise records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, using his trademark mobility and dual-threat capabilities to pose challenges for opposing defenses.
The future appears bright for Jalen Hurts as he enters 2023 as the unquestioned franchise quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles after leading them to the Super Bowl in 2022 at just 24 years old. HisChannels rookie deal will expire after the 2023 season, at which point he could potentially sign one of the largest contracts in NFL history.
Conclusion
In summary, Jalen Hurts has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s rising young stars at quarterback. After a hugely successful college career at both Alabama and Oklahoma, he overcame long odds to become the starter in Philadelphia. With a combination of passing and running talents, Hurts possesses the skill set of a modern dual-threat QB.
Still just 24 years old, he appears poised for stardom and major contract extensions as he leads a loaded Eagles team into championship contention. Hurts’ biography has added an impressive new chapter with his Super Bowl run, and many great achievements likely still await the dynamic young playmaker. If the start of his pro career is any indication, Hurts will continue striving for excellence as he aims to join the top tier of NFL quarterbacks.
FAQs on Jalen Hurts Biography
Who are Jalen Hurts’ parents?
Jalen’s parents are named Pamela and Averion Hurts. Both were very supportive throughout his youth and high school athletic career.
Is Jalen Hurts married?
As of early 2023, Hurts does not appear to be married. While he tends to keep his private life fairly quiet, there are no reports of Hurts having a wife at this point as he focuses on his blossoming football career.
What number does Jalen Hurts wear?
Throughout his football career from high school to the pros, Jalen Hurts has worn the jersey number 1. He continues to wear number 1 as the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles.
What college did Jalen Hurts transfer to after Alabama?
After three seasons at Alabama, Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma to play his senior year. This allowed him to be the full-time starter in his final college season.
How tall is Jalen Hurts?
Jalen Hurts is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall on the Philadelphia Eagles’ official roster and player profile. He possesses good height and ideal size to play quarterback at the professional level in the NFL.
Where did Jalen Hurts grow up?
Jalen Hurts grew up in Channelview, Texas, located just east of Houston. He attended Channelview High School, where he was a standout dual-threat quarterback.
What college did Jalen Hurts first play for?
Hurts played the first three years of his college career (2016-2018) at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. He was the starting quarterback on the Crimson Tide’s 2017 and 2018 national championship game teams.
Why did Jalen Hurts transfer from Alabama?
After losing the starting job midway through the 2018 season to Tua Tagovailoa, Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his senior year in order to be a full-time starter.
What awards did Jalen Hurts win in college?
During his freshman season at Alabama, Hurts won SEC Offensive Player of the Year. At Oklahoma his senior season, he was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.
What NFL team drafted Jalen Hurts?
Hurts was selected by his hometown Houston Texans in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the Texans quickly traded his rights to the Philadelphia Eagles on draft night.