Heisman Trophy runner-up and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts headlines Young Money APAA’s 2020 NFL Draft class. The senior transfer from Alabama has been no stranger to the spotlight. After getting benched in the second half of 2018 National Championship in favor of backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hurts returned to Alabama his junior season to backup Tagovailoa.
While many quarterbacks across the country would have bolted out the door to the transfer portal after losing their starting job, Hurts stayed the course and took on a new role as a backup. In the 2018 SEC championship, Tagovailoa went down with an ankle injury with ten minutes remaining, and Hurts led the Crimson Tide to an SEC title victory and spot in the College Football Playoff.
With Hurts flashing potential and maturity as a backup quarterback, he became a prized recruit as he entered the transfer portal and decided to sign on with Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners. Hurts led the Sooners to the Big 12 title and No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff, finishing his senior season as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Hurts had 3,851 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 1,298 rushing yards, and 20 rushing touchdowns this season.
Hurts signed with Agent Nicole Lynn of Young Money APPA. Lynn is also a graduate of Oklahoma University and Oklahoma Law. Lynn represents 2019 No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams, Raiders safety Erik Harris, amongst other NFL players. Lynn will also be representing Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, a potential first round pick.
Young Money APPA has also signed Penn State defense end Yetur Gross-Matos, another potential first round pick. Gross-Matos, who had 9.5 sacks this past season, has one of the most heartbreaking stories in college football. When Yetur was two years old, he lost his father in a boating accident, when his father drowned saving Yetur’s life. Tragedy struck again when Yetur was 11-years-old. Yetur and his 12-year-old brother, Chelal, where in a rain delay during one of their little league baseball games. Chelal, who told Yetur to stay in the car, was struck by lightning while playing catch in the outfield during the delay and passed away instantly.
YM APPA’s draft class also includes New Mexico State linebacker Javahn Ferguson, Utah State defensive end Tipa Galea’i, and Arkansas defensive tackle McTelvin Agim.
While everyone has a story, Hurts losing his starting-job, overcoming adversity and transferring to become a Heisman Trophy runner-up, and Gross-Matos overcoming the tragic deaths of his father and brother, are two of the most polarizing stories in this years draft.
