Jalen Hurts is 28 years old, born on August 7, 1998, in Houston, Texas. As the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, his career trajectory has placed him among the premier dual-threat signal-callers in the National Football League. Understanding his age provides valuable context for his career timeline, which includes a standout college tenure across the University of Alabama and the University of Oklahoma, followed by an early entrance into the professional ranks and a Super Bowl MVP performance.
Early Life and High School Football Roots
Born to parents Pamela and Averion Hurts, Jalen grew up immersed in the sport of football. His father, Averion Hurts, served as the head football coach at Channelview High School in Texas. Growing up under a coach's roof instilled a rigorous work ethic and deep tactical understanding of the game from an early age.
During his high school career, Hurts established himself as a dynamic athlete. In his senior year alone, he passed for 2,384 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 1,391 yards and another 25 scores. Beyond traditional football drills, he gained renown for exceptional strength, notably squatting 500 pounds as a high school sophomore. Recognized as a consensus four-star recruit, he attracted heavy interest from top-tier collegiate programs before committing to the University of Alabama.
College Career: Alabama and Oklahoma
Hurts stepped onto a major college stage immediately, arriving in Tuscaloosa as a true freshman in 2016.
- True Freshman Phenom: He became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in 32 years, throwing for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 954 yards and 13 scores. He swept SEC Offensive Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
- National Championship and Resilience: As a sophomore, he helped guide Alabama to a national title. When benched for Tua Tagovailoa during the 2018 national championship game, Hurts stayed put, graduated early with a bachelor's degree in communication and information sciences in December 2018, and stepped up off the bench in the 2018 SEC Championship Game to secure a comeback win against Georgia.
- Graduate Transfer at Oklahoma: Seeking an expanded role to showcase his passing abilities, Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his final season of eligibility in 2019. Under Lincoln Riley's offense, he threw for 3,851 yards, tossed 32 touchdowns, ran for 1,298 yards, and scored 20 rushing touchdowns. He finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
Professional Breakthrough With the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Hurts in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Entering the league at just 21 years old, he spent his rookie campaign learning behind Carson Wentz before taking over starting duties late in the season.
His development accelerated quickly:
- 2022 Breakout: In his third season, Hurts earned his first Pro Bowl nod, finished second in NFL MVP voting, and led the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, where he recorded 304 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns in a narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Super Bowl MVP: Building on that performance, he guided Philadelphia through another dominant playoff run, capturing Super Bowl LIX MVP honors with efficient passing and clutch rushing displays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Jalen Hurts' birthday?
Jalen Hurts was born on August 7, 1998.
How tall is Jalen Hurts?
He is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 223 pounds.
What college did Jalen Hurts attend?
He played his first three collegiate seasons at the University of Alabama before playing his final graduate season at the University of Oklahoma.
When was Jalen Hurts drafted into the NFL?
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
