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Scouting Jalen Hurts: a polarizing 2020 NFL Draft prospect

By Nicholas Perlich

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Jalen Hurts #QB08 of Oklahoma interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Jalen Hurts #QB08 of Oklahoma interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners rolls out against the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners rolls out against the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

QB. Oklahoma. 1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jalen Hurts. 815

Jalen Hurts is a fourth-year senior who started 43 out of 56 career games. He played three years at Alabama before graduate-transferring to Oklahoma for his final season of college eligibility. He missed no time due to injury at any point during his career. Hurts possesses adequate height and good weight with a very powerful, strong, and thick build, especially in the lower body.

While Hurts is mainly known for his explosive and powerful play as a runner, he has also become quite an improved passer. He has enough arm strength to easily make all the throws that will be asked of him in the NFL. He showed very good accuracy and ball placement on screen passes and short passes within five yards of the line of scrimmage.

He displays good decision making and rarely puts the ball in precarious spots that could lead to an interception. His athletic ability and play strength makes him a threat to extend any play as well as hurt the defense by gaining big chunks of yards on the ground. Hurts’ competitive toughness and leadership are well-documented and will make him a great locker room presence right away in the NFL.

There is no denying that Jalen Hurts has improved greatly as a passer during his college career. That being said, there are still a few areas that could use some more improvement. His ball placement on intermediate and deep throws are adequate as he sometimes limits the ability for his receiver to maximize the yards after the catch on such throws. While he is a very poised leader overall, he can panic and rush his throws when facing quick pressure from the middle of the offensive line. His passing footwork is probably the air that could use the most improvement. His inconsistencies in his base and stride when throwing cause some errant and high throws in the intermediate and deep areas.

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Overall, Jalen Hurts projects as a starting quarterback you can win with in the NFL. Part of his success will depend on where he gets drafted and the coach and scheme he will be asked to play in at the next level. He fits best in a spread offense with a quick, short passing game that will also utilize read-option and quarterback run plays similar to what he ran in his final season at Oklahoma. Hurts is a likely second- or third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. One thing is for sure, Hurts will have no shortage of fans cheering for his success in the NFL.

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