Nov 11, 2017; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs the ball past Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Photo Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts is competing with Tua Tagovailoa for the Alabama starting quarterback job but is frustrated with how the competition is being handled.
Speaking for reporters for the first time since getting benched at halftime of the national championship game against Georgia in January, Hurts said he is annoyed by what he said are “rumors”, “speculation” and “people making decisions for me”.
“When I look at the things that are being said — and I’m not looking for it, it comes to me — when I see that those things are being said, that’s silly because, ‘He said this, he said that, maybe Coach (Nick) Saban said this,'” Hurts told reporters at Alabama’s media day on Saturday. “Whoever said whatever, what did Jalen say? Not a thing.”
Hurts also said he was “shocked” when Saban said at SEC media days that he had “no idea” if Hurts would be on the roster for the season opener against Louisville on Sept. 1 in Orlando.
After the comments, Saban and Hurts met to clear the air. Hurts said he was intent on staying and graduating in December regardless if he was starting.
“I mean, this is a situation that is uncontrollable,” Hurts said. “Coaches can’t control this situation. They dictate who plays, but as far as the other variations to it, they don’t control it, honestly. Like I said, this whole spring, ever since the game, they kind of wanted to let it play out, and I guess didn’t think it was a thing to let it die down like there wasn’t something there. But that’s always been the elephant in the room.
Hurts is 26-2 as a starter and threw 17 touchdowns to only one interception last season. Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns in the come-from-behind win of the national championship game.
Saban said the decision on the starter will be based on “consistency in performance”. He also grew frustrated at the line of questioning.
“You guys are totally fixated on who has to be first team and who is second team. Why?” Saban said.
