Oklahoma football: Film study shows Jalen Hurts can succeed at OU

2018 – 31-yard pass to Henry Ruggs III vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Yes, the Ragin Cajuns aren’t exactly the Steel Curtain and Hurts’ playing time was spotty through most of 2018, but this throw is worth mentioning. Hurts came into the game with the Tide up 35-0 and ripped a beautiful 31-yard rocket over the middle to Ruggs III. There were two defenders in Rugss’ wake and a safety playing over the top that was closing fast so the pass had to be in about a 3 foot window with near max velocity to work. Hurts was up to the task with a frozen rope right across the middle of the field for a first down in a blowout win. It’s one thing to be this accurate at midrange, but this is a down-the-field pass with no room for error. Game managers and run-first quarterbacks don’t make these kinds of throws and Hurts, yet again, shows he’s neither.

2018 – 29-yard pass to Henry Ruggs III vs. Missouri

Once again Hurts was playing behind Tua, but he still managed to get some quality throws in. Up 31-10 on a third-and-3 from his own 33-yard line. Hurts reads single coverage on Ruggs from the slot and knows he is running a go route. He makes the correct read and throws Ruggs open over the outside shoulder to set up a first down. The read was right in seeing single coverage down the field, but it still required a perfect throw with touch to work, Hurts was there to oblige with both and provide yet another explosive play for his team.