Jalen Hurts transfer destination is taking on a life of its own

The transfer of former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has taken on a life of its own. Where he is projected to wind up depends on the website you read and what social media account(s) you follow.

Jalen Hurts is the most sought after transfer this year and maybe ever in college football. Hurts success at Alabama has been well documented. He is 26-2 as a starting quarterback, incredibly efficient and dangerous as a runner from the quarterback position.

Hurts has thus far visited Maryland, Oklahoma and Miami. He is not scheduled to take any more visits at this time. It seems logical that one of those three schools would be the preferred location for Hurts to enroll for his final season of college football.

One look at Twitter and it’s clear that with a player as accomplished as Hurts changing schools that everyone seems to have an opinion and source where he should and will play in 2019. The consensus prediction seems to that Hurts will join former Alabama Offensive Coordinator Mike Locksley at Maryland.

Locksley was named the Terrapins new Head Coach last month and took over full time following Alabama’s loss in the National Championship game to Clemson last week. Hurts would be familiar with the offense and would have a smooth transition on the football field if he chooses to matriculate in College Park.

The Miami football team has a similar transition for Hurts on the gridiron. New Miami Offensive Coordinator Dan Enos was the Alabama Quarterbacks Coach this past season.

Oklahoma cannot provide Hurts with the familiarity with the offensive systems that Maryland and Miami can. They do have a program closer to winning than the Hurricanes and Terrapins do.

Oklahoma has appeared in the last three of the last four college Football Playoffs. The Sooners are a good defense away from competing with Alabama and Clemson to win a championship. Oklahoma’s defense has allowed 136 points in their three playoff appearances.

Miami could be a good quarterback away from a run at the ACC Championship. Standing in their way would likely be Clemson. That would make it extremely difficult to make a serious run at the playoffs.

Oklahoma led the nation in scoring in 2018 at 48.4 points per game. Maryland finished 68th at 28.5 and Miami 66th at 28,8 PPG. On defense, the Hurricanes were 18th in points allowed at 19.5 PPG, Maryland 78th at 28.7 and Oklahoma 101st at 33.3 PPG.

Miami was even higher in the rankings in yards allowed. The Hurricanes had the nation’s fifth-best defense in yards allowed and led the nation in pass defense.

All is not lost if Hurts commits to a program other than Miami. The Hurricanes are still pursuing Ohio State transfer quarterback Tate Martell and looking at other potential transfers for 2019 and beyond.