Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has signed a financial aid agreement with OU and has enrolled and is attending classes.

Hurts graduated from Alabama in December graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communication (public relations). With one year of eligibility left, Hurts will take part in spring practice and compete for the starting job at OU.

Hurts started 14 games for Alabama in 2016 and 2017 and played in 13 games in 2018. He played in three College Football Playoff National Championships. In 2017, Alabama won the national title.

“(Jalen) certainly has the ability to be a really good leader for us,” said OU coach Lincoln Riley. “He’s got to get in here and learn this team, learn this offense. He’s got to get in here and compete for this quarterback job. There are a lot of steps ahead, but there’s no doubt, this guy’s been in some of the biggest and best games in college football here over the last few years.

“As I’ve gotten to know him, I’ve been really impressed by the way he carries himself, the way he works. There’s not going to be much that happens to this kid that he hasn’t been through already.”

From Channelview, Texas, Hurts has the Alabama quarterback career record with 23 rushing touchdowns and ranks second in school history with 1,976 career rushing yards and 71 touchdowns responsible for. He had 7,602 yards of total offense and threw for 48 touchdowns.

“Last year I was fully invested in the University of Alabama,” Hurts said. “And at the Orange Bowl I was fully invested in beating OU and getting to the National Championship. But now I’m part of the Sooner family and I’m thankful to be here.”