With the 53rd-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Hurts, a 21-year-old senior transfer via Alabama, starred for the Sooners in his final season in the NCAA, throwing for 3,851 passing yards with a 69.7 completion percentage for 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games in his move from the SEC to the Big 12. The Texas native's move to Oklahoma came after a controversial season at Alabama sharing the spotlight with Tua Tagovailoa, eventually opting to transfer.
Hurts is a very decorated young quarterback and ex-Heisman Trophy finalist, winning a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2018 along with personal accolades including SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year back in 2016 with Alabama and Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year this past collegiate season. One of the top-ranked and sought-after signal-callers while in high school in Texas, Hurts is a winner at every level of football thus far.
Per analyst Lance Zierlein in NFL.com:
Like Tim Tebow, Hurts is a winning dual-threat quarterback known for his strength, toughness and character. Hurts is a more accurate passer and better runner than Tebow but is inconsistent as a decision-maker and tends to break the pocket when throws are there to be made. His deep-ball touch and intermediate accuracy improved this year so teams may see him as a developmental talent who will keep getting better in the right scheme. He'll struggle to beat NFL defenses from the pocket, but his ability to grind out yards on the ground and make off-schedule plays should make him a solid backup with upward mobility.
Hurts has overcome multiple challenges and setbacks in his storied college football career but has always attached himself to a winner. It may not be that easy in the pros, but the new NFL quarterback is a tough competitor nonetheless.