Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to leave the program after the 2018 college football season as a graduate transfer. Since the rumors of his departure first surfaced, Hurts has been linked to a number of top programs.
Among the schools linked to Hurts are Auburn, Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State.
But while those powerhouses come as no surprise, there is another program that is reportedly emerging as a favorite to land the signal-caller who led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championship game appearances.
According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports, the “most popular speculation spot” for Hurts is the Maryland Terrapins.
Considering the Terrapins’ new head coach is former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and new Maryland offensive coordinator Butch Jones is a former Alabama offensive analyst, the speculation makes plenty of sense.
“The most popular speculation spot is Maryland, where he’d follow offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. In terms of scheme, UCLA looms as the most logical fit,” Thamel wrote. “In terms of familiarity, he could go to FAU where he’d be aligned to thrive again under former Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Ohio State could loom as a possibility considering Day’s work in Haskins’ lone season as a starter.”
Regardless of where Hurts lands, he will be bringing plenty of high-level experience and a 26-2 record as a starter.
But for now, Hurts and the rest of his Alabama teammates are focused on a meeting with the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff national semifinal. The two teams face off in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Saturday, December 29.
Jalen Hurts Transfer Rumors: New Favorite Emerging
