Oklahoma football: Which is the bigger 2019 addition: Jalen Hurts or Alex Grinch?

Oklahoma football was as active as any program in the country first month of the year, adding a marquee name at defensive coordinator in Alex Grinch and the country’s top transfer quarterback in Jalen Hurts, but which will end up being the bigger asset to the Sooners in 2019?

It’s not an easy question to answer. The Sooners had an obvious need at both quarterback and defensive coordinator after the departure of Kyler Murray and a disastrous performance in the Orange Bowl against Alabama.

So here’s what we are going to do. We are going to make a point for each and then let you, the reader chime in with your own opinion on Facebook at facebook.com/stormininnorman.

The case for Jalen Hurts

The Sooners headed into the 2019 offseason looking to do something nearly impossible – replace back-to-back Heisman winners at the quarterback position.

It’s not to say that there wasn’t plenty of talent in the room with a pair of four-star prospects in Tanner Mordecai and Austin Kendall, but the two had taken only a handful of snaps apiece – and aside from Kendall’s brief appearance in the first series of the Baylor game this year – neither had any significant experience at the college level.

The Sooners have operated at a high level in the Big 12 since Lincoln RIley arrived in January of 2015. As a matter of fact, they have won every conference title since Riley started calling the plays, but the fact is Lincoln Riley can’t throw touchdown passes himself and as sharp as his offensive mind is, an experienced quarterback to help carry out his vision makes things a heck of a lot easier on him.