Former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci spent some time with Jalen Hurts at the 2020 combine, when the two created video content that went viral.
You’ve probably seen it.
Mooch put Hurts on the whiteboard and the young quarterback used the term “get freaky in open field,” in a clip that has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
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“It’s like the ‘it’ factor,” Hurts explained to Mariucci.
On the most recent Take Off with John Clark podcast, Mariucci said has kept in touch with Hurts since filming that clip. He even texted him about a week ago.
“I got to know him a little bit when I put him on the whiteboard at the combine,” Mariucci said. “He was terrific. Great kid.”
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And Mariucci has no doubt the Eagles have found their franchise quarterback.
Hurts, 23, has been the Eagles’ starting quarterback for all but one game this year and he’s performed quite well. The numbers aren’t eye-popping but he’s shown great improvement.
Even before the season, Mariucci thought that Hurts was going to be the Eagles’ franchise quarterback. And watching Hurts this year has cemented that for the former NFL head coach.
“Other than getting hurt, I think Philly doesn’t have to look for another quarterback,” Mariucci said. “Go ahead and find another tackle, find another receiver, go find your needs on defense, your pass rusher. They haven’t sacked the quarterback enough but they play darn good defense. That’s what they can use their money and their draft choices for now. Because they’ve got their quarterback.”
Hurts this season has thrown for 3,144 yards with 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 784yards with 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Perhaps the biggest sign of his improvement, though, is that his completion percentage of 52% in 2020 has improved to 61.3% in 2021.
“We’re going to keep seeing him for the next 12 years,” Mariucci said. “I see him making progress. I see him working through his progressions more often before he takes off. I see him improve his accuracy. I see him improving his decision-making in terms of not forcing the ball into somewhere you shouldn’t. All the things that quarterbacks need."