Eagles reveal untold story of Jalen Hurts' transfer from Alabama to Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts’ transfer from Alabama to Oklahoma was a hot story before he went to the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles released the untold story of Hurts’ transfer when the team revealed his scouting combine interview from 2020.

Hurts was asked about his college journey by the Eagles’ brass. The former second-round pick actually explained why he stayed at Alabama an extra year before spending his final season with the Sooners.

The answer definitely played a big part in the Eagles’ decision to draft him three years ago.

A difference maker@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/BLv7c9IbdF

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 3, 2023

“I decided to go to Alabama because I felt like me and Coach Saban were compatible,” Hurts said. “We saw things the same way. I was very interested and bought into the process. He always talked about the approach, business approach, the competitive nature he had, so I was all in Alabama, only took one visit. I go in there my freshman year and I earned so much respect from my peers and I was 17. Just being around those guys, Reuben (Foster) and Eddie Jackson and Jonathan Allen, all those guys. I guess I earned some keep from them, if you will. 

“We played my freshman year, went to the national championship, we ended up falling short. We get back the next year and stuff doesn’t go as planned, obviously. But for me, we’re back. The biggest thing for me was getting back and winning. We got back and we won and now okay, it was then (everyone asked what) I’m gonna do. Everybody wondered what I have in store for my future … I’m blocking out the noise and I’ve always kept the main thing the main thing. Head down and working. I’m a competitor. I competed and then it unfolded the way it did.”

Hurts expanded on why he stayed at Alabama for a third season before his transfer.

“My teammates are saying ‘why are you still here,’” Hurts said. “They didn’t realize how much they meant to me. My degree was very important to me as well because I wanted to graduate in three years and I handled that. And that’s something I was able to accomplish, got into public relations and get my degree, went off to Oklahoma. 

“Went there not to win any personal award or achievements or nothing like that, but I wanted to help Coach Riley win a national championship. Being a guy that’s been there a bit in that game three years in a row, I didn’t care what the school was. I want to win a national championship, we came up short. So, I’m hungry. I’m excited to see what’s to come.”

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Hurts and the Eagles finished 16-4 (including the playoffs) this season and made their second Super Bowl appearance in six seasons. It was Hurts’ first, and potentially not last, crack at the big game.