Jalen Hurts

Alabama football: Stallings says Hurts reminds him of Johnny Football

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Legendary Alabama football coach Gene Stallings compares Tide freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts to Johnny Manziel – in a good way.

Jalen Football, anyone?

Legendary Alabama football coach Gene Stallings has a rich history at Texas A&M as well as with the Crimson Tide. So when he talks about Tide freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, people listen.

Stallings earlier this week told WNSP 105.5 that Hurts – who has thrown for 1,385 yards and run for 428 more to vault himself into Heisman Trophy conversation – reminds him of former Aggies quarterback and Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.

“Johnny Manziel was an electric-type quarterback, and I think this young man at Alabama is the same type,” Stallings said. “He can run. He can get out of trouble. He’s an accurate passer. He doesn’t turn the ball over. I think for a true freshman, he’s doing a fabulous job.”

Hurts has a 63.5 percent completion percentage so far this season with 113 completions and nine touchdowns – along with right rushing TDs.

Stallings, of course, history at both schools. He played for the Aggies as a member of coach Paul W. Bryant’s famed Junction Boys, but was an assistant on Bryant’s coaching staff for the Crimson Tide’s national titles in 1961 and 1964. Stallings returned to coach Alabama to a national title in 1992 after winning the 1993 Sugar Bowl over Miami. He holds a 70-16-1 record as the head coach of the Crimson Tide.

In its third straight game against a ranked team, No. 1 Alabama hosts No. 6 Texas A&M on Saturday. The game kicks off at 2:30 pm CT and will be broadcast nationally on CBS.