The story of the Jalen Hurts draft is one of the most fascinating chapters in modern NFL history. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts entered the league with questions surrounding his position, his passing ability, and his future as a starting quarterback. Despite being a national champion at the college level, he was not chosen among the first quarterbacks in his draft class. Instead, his selection became the beginning of a remarkable journey toward NFL stardom.
Hurts has since established himself as one of the league’s most recognizable quarterbacks. His combination of athleticism, determination, leadership, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations has helped transform the way many people view his original draft selection. Looking back at his path from college football to the professional stage reveals why his story remains so compelling.
When Was Jalen Hurts Drafted?
Jalen Hurts was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The draft took place in April 2020, during an unusual year when the event was conducted virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, the Eagles already had Carson Wentz under contract as their starting quarterback. Consequently, the selection raised questions about the team’s long-term plans. Some observers wondered whether Philadelphia intended to develop Hurts as a backup, create competition at quarterback, or eventually move in a different direction.
The decision attracted considerable attention because quarterbacks selected in the second round are often viewed as potential starters, developmental projects, or valuable long-term investments. Hurts brought an impressive college résumé, but his future in the NFL was not yet certain.
The Eagles ultimately made a selection that would significantly influence the franchise’s future. Hurts received an opportunity to learn the professional game, develop his passing skills, and demonstrate that he could lead an NFL offense.
Why Did the Eagles Select Him?
Philadelphia’s decision was influenced by several qualities that Hurts had demonstrated throughout his college career. He possessed excellent mobility, experience in major games, a strong work ethic, and the ability to contribute as both a passer and a runner.
The Eagles also had an opportunity to add depth at one of football’s most important positions. Quarterback injuries can dramatically affect a team’s season, and having a talented young player available can provide valuable protection against uncertainty.
However, the selection was more than a straightforward backup-quarterback decision. Hurts had already demonstrated that he could adapt to difficult circumstances, learn from setbacks, and compete at a high level.
His college experience suggested that he had the mental toughness necessary to handle the challenges of professional football. The question was whether those strengths would translate into consistent NFL production.
His College Football Journey
Alabama and Early Success
Hurts played college football at the University of Alabama, where he quickly became one of the most prominent young quarterbacks in the country. As a freshman in 2016, he led Alabama to an undefeated regular season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
His first season demonstrated his dual-threat ability. He could make plays with his arm, extend possessions with his legs, and place pressure on opposing defenses by forcing them to account for his mobility.
Hurts also helped Alabama reach another national championship game during the 2017 season. Although the team lost to Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship, his experience in high-stakes competition became an important part of his development.
Despite his success, his time at Alabama eventually presented a major challenge.
Losing the Starting Job
During the 2017 national championship game, Hurts struggled to generate enough offensive momentum against Georgia. Alabama head coach Nick Saban replaced him with freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who led the team to a dramatic overtime victory.
Tagovailoa became Alabama’s starting quarterback the following season, leaving Hurts in a backup role. For a player who had previously led one of college football’s strongest programs, the change could have been difficult to accept.
Instead of allowing the setback to define his career, Hurts continued working and remained prepared to contribute. His response became one of the most memorable aspects of his college journey.
In the 2018 SEC Championship Game, he replaced an injured Tagovailoa and helped Alabama defeat Georgia. The performance reinforced his reputation as a composed competitor who could deliver when his team needed him.
A New Beginning at Oklahoma
Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma for the 2019 season, following in the footsteps of quarterbacks who had used the program to develop their professional prospects.
Under head coach Lincoln Riley, Hurts became the starting quarterback and delivered an outstanding season. He threw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 1,298 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
His production demonstrated that he could operate a high-powered passing offense while remaining a dangerous runner. He finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, strengthening his standing among the leading quarterback prospects entering the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Oklahoma season helped answer concerns about his ability to improve as a passer. Although scouts continued evaluating his mechanics, accuracy, and decision-making, his performance made him a compelling prospect for teams seeking a versatile quarterback.
Where Hurts Was Ranked Among Quarterbacks
The 2020 quarterback class included several highly regarded prospects, including Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love. Burrow went first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, while Tagovailoa was selected fifth by the Miami Dolphins and Herbert went sixth to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Hurts was the fifth quarterback selected in that draft, going 53rd overall after Love, who was chosen 26th by the Green Bay Packers. His position in the draft reflected the uncertainty surrounding his transition to the professional level rather than a lack of college accomplishments.
Scouting reports recognized his athletic ability, toughness, and competitive nature. However, evaluators also questioned whether his passing consistency and pocket decision-making would develop sufficiently against NFL defenses.
Those concerns help explain why the Jalen Hurts draft selection was viewed as a surprising move at the time. His eventual success demonstrated that a player’s draft position does not always determine his professional ceiling.
His First Seasons With Philadelphia
Hurts began his NFL career as a backup to Carson Wentz. During his rookie season, he appeared in 15 games and made four starts, recording 1,061 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and 354 rushing yards.
He earned his first NFL start in December 2020 against the New Orleans Saints. Philadelphia won 24–21, giving fans an early glimpse of his potential as a starting quarterback.
In 2021, Hurts became the Eagles’ full-time starter. He threw for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 784 yards and 10 scores. Although his passing game continued to develop, his mobility made him a difficult opponent to defend.
The Eagles reached the playoffs that season, marking an important step in his progression. His performance also helped establish that the second-round selection could become a long-term answer at quarterback.
The Breakout Season of 2022
The 2022 season changed Hurts’ reputation across the NFL. With an improved supporting cast and a strong offensive system, he delivered one of the best campaigns of his career.
Hurts threw for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 760 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. His ability to threaten defenses through the air and on the ground made Philadelphia’s offense particularly difficult to stop.
The Eagles finished the regular season with a 14–3 record and advanced to Super Bowl LVII. Hurts delivered an outstanding performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 304 yards and one touchdown while rushing for three additional scores.
Philadelphia ultimately lost 38–35, but Hurts demonstrated that he could compete on football’s biggest stage. His performance strengthened his standing as one of the NFL’s leading quarterbacks and showed how dramatically he had developed since entering the league.
Super Bowl Glory and Career Recognition
Hurts continued to establish himself as a franchise quarterback in the following seasons. He helped Philadelphia return to the Super Bowl in the 2024 season, when the Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
This time, Philadelphia secured a convincing 40–22 victory. Hurts threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 72 yards, and scored another touchdown on the ground. His performance earned him the Super Bowl LIX Most Valuable Player award.
The achievement represented a remarkable milestone for a player whose professional future had been questioned during the draft process.
Hurts’ success also highlighted the importance of development, coaching, and team support. His improvement did not happen overnight; it came through several seasons of experience, adjustments, and increasingly effective performances.
Why His Draft Selection Still Matters
The Jalen Hurts draft story remains relevant because it illustrates how NFL teams must balance potential with uncertainty. Scouts evaluate college production, mechanics, athleticism, decision-making, and adaptability, but no draft assessment can predict every player’s future.
Hurts entered the league with questions about his passing ability and his suitability for a starting role. Through continued development, he proved capable of leading a championship-caliber team.
His career also demonstrates the value of perseverance. Losing his starting job at Alabama could have undermined his confidence, yet he responded by improving and finding success at Oklahoma. That experience prepared him to handle challenges at the professional level.
For the Eagles, selecting Hurts in the second round became one of the franchise’s defining decisions of the decade. The pick provided quarterback depth initially and ultimately delivered a player capable of leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Jalen Hurts drafted?
Jalen Hurts was drafted on April 24, 2020, by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the NFL Draft.
What overall pick was Jalen Hurts?
Hurts was the 53rd overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the fifth quarterback selected that year.
Which college did Jalen Hurts attend?
Hurts played college football at the University of Alabama before transferring to the University of Oklahoma for his final collegiate season.
Why did the Eagles draft Jalen Hurts?
Philadelphia selected Hurts to add talent and depth at quarterback. His athleticism, leadership, and potential made him an attractive prospect, although the decision was surprising because Carson Wentz was already the team’s established starter.
Has Jalen Hurts won a Super Bowl?
Yes. Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX following the 2024 season. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Was Jalen Hurts considered a top draft prospect?
Hurts was a prominent college quarterback, but he was not selected in the first round. Questions about his passing consistency and transition to the NFL contributed to his second-round selection.
Conclusion
The Jalen Hurts draft journey proves that a player’s professional potential cannot always be measured by draft position alone. Selected 53rd overall in 2020, Hurts entered the NFL facing questions about his future as a starting quarterback. Through determination, development, and strong performances, he became the leader of the Philadelphia Eagles and a Super Bowl MVP.
From his early success at Alabama to his transformation at Oklahoma and eventual NFL championship, Hurts has built a career defined by resilience and steady improvement. His story remains a powerful reminder that the right opportunity, continued effort, and willingness to learn can turn an unexpected draft decision into a franchise-changing success.
