Why did Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts get benched at Alabama and why did he transfer?

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jalen Hurts was a star quarterback at Alabama – and then left.

While attending Alabama, Hurts was benched at halftime of the 2018 College Football Playoff championship game versus Georgia in favor of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after a subpar first half performance. Tagovailoa eventually led the Crimson Tide to a 26-23 overtime victory over the Bulldogs.

The following season Hurts was Tagovailoa’s backup despite having a 26-2 record as a starter at Alabama. Hurts was a primary backup his entire junior year, but got some redemption when he relieved an injured Tagovailoa and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2018 SEC championship game against Georgia.

Entering the 2019 season, Hurts decided to transfer to Oklahoma for his final year of eligibility. He finished his Alabama career with 5,626 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, 1,976 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

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At Oklahoma, Hurts led the Sooners to a Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He tallied 3,851 passing yards and 32 touchdowns with 1,298 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns as a Sooner. He finished second overall in the Heisman voting.

Hurts was asked about his college benching after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game.

“We have new moments. New moments and new times. I think my character, I’ve been raised to be who I am. As the times change, the character doesn’t,” Hurts said. “I always try to never get too high, never get too low, and always give my best.”

The 24-year-old quarterback is now the starting quarterback for the Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Additionally, Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes are the first two Black quarterbacks to start against each other in a Super Bowl.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why was Eagles QB Jalen Hurts benched in college?