Reports: Alabama QB Jalen Hurts enters transfer portal

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal, allowing coaches from other schools to contact him without getting permission from the Crimson Tide.

Multiple media outlets reported the news Wednesday, two days after Alabama’s season ended with a 44-16 loss to Clemson in the national championship game.

Hurts graduated in December and would be immediately eligible at a new school in 2019. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Hurts compiled a 26-2 record as Alabama’s starter in 2016 and 2017, leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff title game both seasons.

After a poor first half in the 2017 NCAA championship game against Georgia, Hurts was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa rallied Alabama to a 26-23 overtime victory against the Bulldogs and then beat out Hurts for the 2018 starting position.

Hurts served as the backup to the Heisman Trophy runner-up throughout the 2018 season, providing perhaps one final thrill for Alabama fans when Tagovailoa got hurt during the SEC Championship game against Georgia. Trailing in the fourth quarter, Hurts led the Crimson Tide to 14 unanswered points and a 35-28 victory.

Hurts, the 2016 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 5,626 yards, 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 42 career games.

–Field Level Media