Jalen Hurts’ ability to punish defenses as a dual-threat quarterback has been a huge part of the Eagles’ rise up the NFC standings. Last season, the former second-round pick earned his first Pro Bowl selection after passing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Part of Hurts’ success stems from the fact that he is unusually sturdy for a player at his position. Dating back to his college days, Hurts has produced incredible results in the weight room. (It’s easier to run the “Tush Push” when your quarterback can seemingly squat an entire defensive line.)
Just how strong is Hurts? Here’s a closer look at his eye-popping numbers.
In LOVE with the grind.@JalenHurts #RareBreed #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/Tv4aGGTVDT
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 14, 2019
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Jalen Hurts squats 600 pounds
Before he attended Alabama, Hurts was already known for his work as a powerlifter. Heading into his freshman season, Hurts could squat and deadlift more than 500 pounds and bench press 275 pounds, according to AL.com.
In March 2018, Hurts took his squats to a new level, handling 600 pounds with ease. Check out this video from former Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran:
And he did it again when he transferred to Oklahoma ahead of the 2019 season:
“What’s funny is [Eagles center] Jason Kelce gives me a hard time about [squatting],” Hurts said on the “ManningCast” last year. “Sometimes, he catches me squatting the same amount of weight he’s squatting in the weight room. And he’s like, ‘What are you doing this for?'”
Hurts has continued to perform feats of strength as a pro, including a 620-pound deadlift in 2021. His body has completely transformed from one year to the next.
“This guy’s committed. He’s been locked in the weight room,” former NFL defensive back Darius Butler said on “The Pat McAfee Show” in June 2022. “He cares about it. … It’s a tough position, especially when you’re a quarterback that runs around. You’re gonna be taking hits. You want a guy that can survive that type of beating in the league.
“We heard rumors and stories about him lifting crazy weights at Alabama and Oklahoma when he was in college, so I’m not surprised by it.”
Jalen Hurts at 2020 NFL Draft Combine
Measurements
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 222 pounds
- Arm: 31 3/4 inches
- Hand: 9 3/4 inches
Next Gen scores (out of 100)
- Production score: 85 (third among QBs)
- Athleticism score: 90 (first among QBs)
- Total score: 84 (fourth among QBs)
Combine results
- 40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.53 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, five inches
(Via NFL.com)