Jalen Hurts shares story of Cam Newton recruiting him to Auburn

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are holding joint practices in preparation for their preseason matchup Thursday. It’s also been an opportunity for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to meet Cam Newton, a quarterback he watched a lot growing up, in person.

Hurts shared a story of Newton calling to recruit him to Auburn when Hurts transferred out of Alabama.

“This is my first time actually meeting him in person,” Hurts said of Newton, as previously covered in this piece by AL.com’s Mark Inabinett. “In the midst of trying to find out where I was going to go the second time around, I know he called me on Gus Malzahn’s behalf, and I’ve also had communication with him just from an older athlete.”

Hurts ultimately transferred to Oklahoma, starting for the Sooners in 2019. He finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy that season, the award Newton won at Auburn in 2010.

Hurts went on to praise Newton, who’s nine years older.

“Obviously, he’s a legendary player — the things he’s done in college and in the league,” Hurts said. “I watched him a lot growing up, so being able to talk to him, being able to have a relationship with him and meet him in person for the first time, it was great.”

‘Hurts is my little bro, man’

Newton spoke on his relationship with Hurts as well.

“Hurts is my little bro, man,” Newton said on Monday. “There are a lot of guys that I admire from afar, and just to see the state of the NFL having so much athleticism at the quarterback position, it’s something to smile about.

“Jalen is a person that I’ve followed all through college,” Newton continued. “Hearing so much about him really in high school from the Houston area with me going to JUCO (at Blinn College in Texas). And for me to see him out here today, it’s just always love and always going to be love between us.”

Newton is entering his 11th year in the league, his second in New England, while Jalen Hurts is entering his second year in the league overall.

Neither Newton nor Hurts know for sure if they’re going to be starting in Week 1. Hurts hasn’t been named as Philadelphia’s QB1 just yet, as Joe Flacco joined the quarterback room this offseason, but is expected to be the guy. Likewise, Newton is the incumbent starter in New England but is engaged in a quarterback battle with rookie Mac Jones, who was drafted 15th overall out of Alabama, and hasn’t been named the starter.

Hurts also had the opportunity to reconnect with Jones, his former Alabama teammate from 2017-2018.

“Mac, I think he’s a great player,” Hurts said. “We spent a lot of time together at Alabama, when him and Tua (Tagovailoa) came in. I’ve seen him grow so much. It’s good to see him now, seeing him with the opportunity he has now. I’m excited for him.”