Scout Report – Jalen Hurts

• Position: Quarterback
• College: Oklahoma Sooners
• Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 7 of 11
• NFL Draft Tracker Position Rank: N/A

Age: 21 | Height: 6’2 | Weight: 219 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Deshaun Watson

Resume:

• 7th most pass attempts in the Big XII (309)
• 6th most completions in the Big XII (222)
• Highest pass completion percentage in Big XII Conference (71.8)
• 6th most passing yards in the nation (3,634)
  • 2nd most in the Big XII
• 10th most passing TDs in the nation (32)
  • Most in the Big XII
• 3rd highest passing efficiency rating in the nation (200.3)
  • Highest in the Big XII
• 3rd most AP yards in the nation (4,889)
  • Most in the Big XII
• Most AP-TDs in the nation (51)
• Best Game: v. Houston (W 49-31)
  • 20/23 | 332 pass yds | 3 TD – 0 INT | 16 att | 176 rush yds | 3 rush TDs
• Played against 5 ranked opponents
  • v. #11 Texas
  • @ #13 Baylor
  • @ #21 Oklahoma State
  • v. #7 Baylor* (Big XII Championship)
  • v. #1 LSU (CFP)
• Played against _ defenses that averaged 200 or fewer passing yards allowed
  • TCU
• 2018 National Quarterback Club College Quarterback of the Year (shared with Tua Tagovailoa)
• Heisman trophy runner-up (2019)
• Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2019)
• CFP National Champion (2018)
• First team All-Big 12 (2019)
• Big 12 Champion (2019)
• First-team All-SEC (2016)
• 2x SEC Champion (2016, 2018)
• SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2016)
• SEC Freshman of the Year (2016)

Strengths:

• Excellent ability to sell PA/RPO
• Extremely elusive when scrambling, difficult to bring down
• One of the most accurate deep throwers in the draft class
• Has the arm strength to launch the ball deep, or maintain range when compromised
• Range of the run is up to 40 yards
• Has one of the most powerful arms in the draft class, can really sling it deep
• One of the highest top speed for the QB position, possibly for all prospects
• Is not afraid to attack the trenches as a runner, does not shy away from contact
• Elusive as a runner in the open field
• Consistent playmaking week in and week out
• Seems to know when he is under pressure, has a knack for getting the ball out when he needs to
• Pretty smart with the ball, does not force too many passes, seems to know his limits
• Maneuvers the pocket with quick steps to keep agility and directional change effective
• Not easily shaken, can be a playmaker under pressure just as easily as when protected
• Has the experience playing in two different offensive schemes
• Has played significant time in all four years at the college level
  The ability to put excellent touch on passes, especially in the redzone
• Acceptable accuracy on the mid ball
• Seems capable of finding the blitz on the snap, has shown to be able to flow away from blitzes
• Extremely difficult to sack, body movement and evasive feet keep him a moving target
  

Weaknesses:

• Can be reckless with his body when he becomes a ball carrier
• Runs with the ball away from the body, is reckless with the ball
• Vision can be lacking, is not aware of multiple levels at the same time
• Relies too heavily on his legs to make plays happen
• Does not go through progressions, playbook is too reliant on first read
• Makes a habit of throwing off back foot if caught out of the pocket
• Throws off backfoot at times when he really doesn’t need to
• Poor ball placement on outside throws and short passes, can end up putting passes in the dirt
• Lowers himself if he tried to put heat on the throw, making himself shorter in stature
  Slightly below ideal height
• Has a habit of breaking the pocket at the slightest sign of trouble instead of maneuvering
  

Bold Predictions:

• Draft Placement: 2nd-3rd round
• Plays like: Deshaun Watson
• Ceiling: NFL Journeyman
• Floor: 4 & out

Overview:

Overshadowed by Tua Tagovailoa almost his entire college career, Hurts finally had the ability to step into the spotlight all his own by transferring to Oklahoma. To say he is not one of the most explosive weapons in college football is simply absurd. The man’s ability to find the endzone is second to none in the nation. Concerns plague him in terms of his ability to play within the pocket. His arm strength is there, as well as his mobility, but the development of his mental game is questionable for an immediate impact. Hurts is accurate, but lacks vision to see multiple levels at the same time. He has a great arm and deadly accuracy, but his mechanics are easily shaken and throws off his backfoot way too many times. His pocket presence and ability to maneuver the pocket is astounding, but he breaks out of it whenever the slightest inconvenience occurs. Hurts is a classic example of a Dual Threat QB who has stunted his growth as a QB because of his over reliance on his legs. His improvement from freshman to now shows he has the ability to develop at a fast pace, but he is a little behind others to be an immediate impact for a team who drafts him.