Jalan Hurts and Tua Tagovelloa are two previously successful starting quarterbacks in Alabama that will start together in the NFL in 2021. Hurts will move from a second-round pick to a full-time starter for the Eagles. Tagovelloa, who sat as a first rounder in 2020, is the undisputed No. 1 young gun for the Dolphins.
When Hurts and Tagovelloa played for Nick Saban and helped the Crimson Tide reach greater college football supremacy, they helped set up an amazing run of players with highly drafted offensive skills. Since 2018, Alabama has produced three first-round wide receivers in Calvin Ridley, Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Zaydi. Running back, Josh Jacobs in Round 1 and Damian Harris in Round 3. Hurts and Tagovelloa were voted high in 2020.
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Now the program’s offensive explosion is going to another full level for the NFL with its incredible National Championship-winning Foursome: Davonta Smith, Jaylen Wadle, Mack Jones and Nazi Harris. Smith and Wadle are now expected to make it to the top 10 on April 29, with Ruggs and JUD joining the top 20. Jones would follow Tagoveloa to the first round from the opening round. Harris, arguably the best running back in the 2021 class, has a chance to join Jacobs as a late first-rounder.
Few players know all of those prospects, as well as their former teammates, Hurts and Tagovelloa. He competed and developed with Jones. He saw Smith and Wadle as young targets. He saw Harris as Alabama’s latest backfield star. Sporting News spoke to the two former ‘Bama QBs to learn more about the amazing quartet.
Before Hurts left Alabama and raised his draft stock in Oklahoma, it is certain that while absorbing the high-level concepts Tussalakosa struggled with playing time, he, Tagovelloa and Jones had to feed each other and most of all. Allowed to develop well- round quarterback.
Hurts said, “When I got there, I had four five-star quarterbacks in front of me. I put myself in that position, so that I could compete with the intention of handling him and it took off from there.” “I know that Tua has learned a lot from me, and I know that I have learned a lot from him.
“Drive, the work ethic that Mac Jones has, I’ve always admired him. He always believes in himself, so we all had a great relationship. It’s so crazy that we’re seeing it now Are. A chance to be in this league at this level of play. “
Tagovelloa, who followed Hurts and was succeeded by Jones, received the most accolades upon his replacement and revealed his lowest characteristics.
“Mac is very Tom Brady-esque. He looks at Tom Brady. He tries to dress like Tom Brady many times. It’s Mac’s biggest role model,” Tagovelloa said. “He is a very smart kid on and off the field. He takes care of the things he needs to take care of as a hard worker. He has the kind of pragmatism that helps him. “
With the Dolphins picking up the No. 3 overall and wide receiver with a significant offensive need, there is a chance that Tagovelloa could reunite with Smith or Wadle. Hurts also has the chance to be ranked No. 7 on the clock with the Eagles.
Although the early part of the draft drops out, Tagovelloa knows that it will be harder for NFL teams to choose between Smith and Waddle.
Tagovailoa said, “They are both very explosive. They can both take the helm of defense.” “They are also very athletic in space, so you give them the ball in the open field, they will do something for you.”
Smith and Wadle also did not stop contributing when they were not driving the route and catching the pass.
“In the running game, they are not afraid to get down and dirty with blocks,” Tagovelloa said. “That’s what makes him a complete player for any NFL team that gets one of them.”
Hurts first took a look at Wadle’s ball-handling, speed and quickness when checking out future wide receivers playing AAU basketball in Houston.
“I saw his athleticism playing basketball and I always knew he was something special,” Hurts said. “He was right when he came to Alabama. He is a pure playwright who plays passionate football and he loves the game.”
Hurts also recalls his impressive first impression of Smith, which came when he hosted a trip to a successful college.
“Everybody wants to go out and go to a party, but literally the first thing we did at an indoor facility in Alabama was throw some routes and work hard,” Hurts said. “It describes him briefly – the maturity he possesses, the desire to win, the competitive nature. He’s got it all. That’s why he had one of the best receiving seasons in college football history.”
For Harris, Hurts was quickly sold out when he saw him backing up his strong legs with good hands for the passing game.
“Jumping over the Nazi people came in the form of holding the ball with one hand,” Hurts said. “He is such a big man, but he can do it all well, catch the ball, run the route. He is bright and powerful at the same time.”
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When Tagovelloa first saw Harris, he was surprised how someone could shake someone with a 6-2, 230-pound frame.
“From high school, when we were recruiting, I couldn’t believe this guy was in high school. He looked like he had played in college a few years before,” Tagovelloa said. “He was standing outside a lot in every camp, I saw him go. He was running the biggest, he was running the strongest. He was very fast on his feet.”
Tagovelloa was equally impressed when Harris was on the field for such a talented running back who knew how good he was.
“I was in the room with him in my freshman year and in my sophistication year,” Tagovailoa said. “He’s a great friend on the field, so fun to be around. Whoever gets this guy, they’re lucky.”
Alabama was known for being a defensive factory for the NFL. But Saban has adjusted his team to be more high-scoring and efficient, also churning out iconic pro-style offensive players. Hurts and Tagovelloa played a big role in bouncing the notion and the Crimson Tide have moved at full speed with passing, running and receiving game-changers.
Typical NFL teams that end up with Jones, Smith, Waddle and Harris just won’t be as lucky. They will have opportunities to commit great offense due to their choice.
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