Even as Jalen Hurts reverts to old role, he remains special - AL.com

Many of Alabama’s players had already left the locker room at Hard Rock Stadium before Jalen Hurts almost slipped away, too.

The hero of the SEC championship game that took place at the dawn of December had once again retreated into the background Saturday night, making a planned early-morning getaway from the encroaching media scrum that much easier for Alabama’s heralded backup quarterback.

But alas Hurts was stopped by one plucky reporter who questioned him about the supporting role he played in the Crimson Tide’s 45-34 victory over Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal round.

In several abbreviated cameos, Hurts did a little bit of everything. He completed a ten-yard pass, made a nine-yard reception on a jet sweep and even ran for four yards.

“We’ve had different things that utilize me in different ways throughout the whole year,” he said. “Some things weren’t used early on. Some things were thrown out…I am a football player. I like to play. Any way these guys can get me on the field, I love it. I love it.”

This season, Hurts has transformed into the ultimate team guy — making him one of the most beloved members of the Tide, after rather ironically, he was among the most criticized during his 26-2 run as a starter.

Hurts’ decision to stay in Tuscaloosa following his demotion to a reserve role endeared him to a fan base that spent the offseason wondering if he would turn down a position as Tua Tagovailoa’s understudy and transfer. His decision to bypass a redshirt year in late September only enhanced his image among the Alabama faithful. Then came the SEC title game, when Hurts supplanted an injured Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter and spearheaded a comeback over Georgia by leading two touchdown drives.

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In the aftermath, Hurts was lionized by Alabama coach Nick Saban, his teammates, the media and even students who walk the same campus sidewalks he does. At his graduation earlier this month, Hurts received a sustained ovation when he walked across stage at Coleman Coliseum and accepted his diploma.

It would have been the perfect theatrical ending. But at Alabama the show had to go on with the Crimson Tide back in the College Football Playoff and staring at the possibility of playing two more games — a scenario that has since become reality now that the Tide is set to compete in its fourth straight national championship game. Consequently, Hurts reverted back to his old role as the backup while Tagovailoa reemerged as the star.

For much of the night Saturday, Hurts stood on the sideline as a bystander, watching Tagovailoa carve up Oklahoma with surgical precision as he connected on 89 percent of his attempts and threw more touchdown passes than incompletions.

The performance was spectacular, although not nearly as dramatic as the one Hurts staged nearly a month before in Atlanta.

Afterwards, center Ross Pierschbacher said, “Tua’s pretty special.”

But then again so is Hurts, who is exceptional in a different, more nuanced way that isn’t as easily spotted by the naked eye.

It’s why after that reporter stopped Hurts other journalists quickly gathered around a player who was deployed for a total of six snaps Saturday.

“Any time I touch the field,” Hurts said, “I try to take advantage of it.”

A minute after he made that remark, Hurts excused himself — disappearing from sight once again as he became another face among a crowd of Alabama players who understand deep down he is so much more than that.

Rainer Sabin is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @RainerSabin

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