Hurts attended high school in Channelview, a town east of Houston near the Gulf of Mexico. Coached by his father, Hurts was a prolific passer in his high school days, being named district 21-6A MVP his junior season. As a senior, Hurts threw for 2,371 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Freshman sensation
After winning the quarterback battle at Alabama against Blake Barnett, Hurts left no doubt who the right man to lead the Crimson Tide offense was. Hurts threw for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions en route to being named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year, leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff.