Freshman comparisons: Can Jalen Hurts reach Lamar Jackson's level?
Jalen Hurts has stepped up this season to become a leader on the No. 1 team in the country as a true freshman, and his numbers stack up very interestingly to the freshman numbers of this year's runaway Heisman candidate.
Lamar Jackson has made a name for himself this season by putting up unconscionable numbers, but Hurts may quietly exceed the freshman performance of Louisville's star pivot.
| Category | Lamar Jackson (2015) | Jalen Hurts (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Percentage | 54.7 | 62.3 |
| Passing Yards | 1840 | 1685 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 12 | 12 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 6 |
| Yards/Game | 153.3 | 187.2 |
| Carries | 163 | 115 |
| Rushing yards | 960 | 635 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 11 | 10 |
| Rushing Average | 5.89 | 5.52 |
| Yards/Game | 80 | 70.56 |
| Total Offense | 2800 | 2320 |
| Total Yards/Game | 233.3 | 257.8 |
Alabama still has three regular-season games to go, including a likely playoff spot, so it's not a stretch to think that Hurts could surpass most of - if not all - of Jackson's totals from a year ago.
If Hurts can evolve into the caliber of player Jackson has been this season, Alabama could be an irresistible force for the entirety of Hurt's collegiate career.
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