Oklahoma football: Jalen Hurts QB battle comes to timely end

However, that doesn’t mean that Rileys mind wasn’t completely open – more open than all of ours – from the day he knew he must replace Kyler Murray until he made his final decision. Riley has built a process when it comes to selecting his quarterbacks and the patience he exhibits is just as much about trying to instill confidence in the backups as it is about motivating the frontrunner.

Tanner Mordecai (and later on Spencer Rattler) both got to practice and prepare like they were the starter. They got to rep with the No. 1 group and learn what it means to compete at that high level in college football. It’s something that will come in handy should one of them be called upon at some point this year for an unforeseen reason and going into next season as the Sooners prepare for their third quarterback battle in as many years.

Jalen Hurts doesn’t come off like a guy who needs others to motivate him, but having a pair of young, hungry quarterbacks breathing down his neck in every drill and every scrimmage will make even a former national champion step up his game.