Gary Danielson explains his Jalen Hurts 'doesn't really know how to play quarterback' comment

CBS analyst Gary Danielson broke down the Alabama quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa (13) and Jalen Hurts (2). (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

Jalen Hurts is 26-2 as the starter at Alabama.

So, it might be curious when talking about Hurts, CBS analyst Gary Danielson states "he doesn't really know how to play quarterback."

The comment was made last week in the midst of SEC Media Days in Atlanta.

First, here's a little context. Danielson is a fan of Hurts. The guy has thrown for 40 touchdowns and more than 4,800 yards in two seasons.

"He knows how to throw. He knows how to be a good leader. He has great toughness," Danielson explained in an interview with The Tide 102.9.

"He really doesn't understand how to distribute the ball and see the cracks in the defense before they appear. He's pretty good at delivering the ball to open guys. He has a good deep arm. He's courageous. He's a great leader, but there are subtleties of playing quarterback that are unteachable.

"They come pretty easy to (New Orleans Saints QB) Drew Brees or a Matt Stafford (Detroit Lions QB) or even a Tua Tagovailoa. (Tua) sees spaces and opportunities out there a lot of guys don't see, even professional guys."

He added that doesn't mean Tagovailoa is a lock for the NFL, necessarily, but, simply, he has the potential.

Hurts, Danielson believes, will stay with the Crimson Tide and earn his degree - play in some games, then transfer.

"Jalen has to learn how to play quarterback," he explained. "That means dropping back in the pocket, feeling where the pressure is, knowing where the dump offs are, understanding that certain zones are man, where they are most vulnerable, how to look off the safeties."

To his point, Danielson pointed to the game-winning touchdown in the CFP national championship game against Georgia.

You remember the play.

Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith on a second-and-26 play in overtime to lead the Tide to a 26-23 win.

Danielson believes Hurts couldn't make that play.

"It's not quite fair," he admitted. "And I don't know 100 percent, but my opinion, but I think Jalen could've made the last throw to win the game. But, I don't think he could've executed the play where you look off the safety and throw with the touch. He's not there in his development."

Check out the entire interview below. The topic of Hurts starts at the 3:05 mark.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.

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