Alabama backup quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) is focused on Monday night’s national championship game against Clemson and not on what may be in store for him the rest of 2019.Jalen Hurts was the toast of college football in early December, having patiently waited all season as Alabama’s backup quarterback before replacing an injured Tua Tagovailoa in the Southeastern Conference championship game against Georgia and rallying the Crimson Tide to a 35-28 triumph.
Hurts returned to his coming-off-the-sideline role last weekend in the Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma, and the sideline is where he is expected to be Monday night when No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson kick off their title-game showdown of the College Football Playoff. Monday’s matchup represents the first collision ever of 14-0 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
“All I can do is prepare as if I’m the starter and be ready if my opportunity unfolds,” Hurts said Saturday during the CFP championship media day in San Jose, California. “This year has been different, for sure, but I have no complaints. We’re in a position to win another national championship.”
Whether Monday will be the final game for Hurts in a crimson helmet remains unknown. He reiterated Saturday that he has never mentioned transferring and that it has simply been speculation by others, but the recent graduate has yet to announce definitive plans for his final season.
Hurts made his biggest contribution to this season’s title run by completing seven of nine passes for 82 yards and a touchdown against Georgia, while also rushing five times for 28 yards and a score. His 15-yard touchdown run with 1:04 remaining against the Bulldogs was the difference and enabled the Tide to receive the top playoff seed.