5. Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Alabama
What Hurts was able to accomplish last year as a true freshman was something to behold. He totaled 3,734 yards while throwing 23 touchdowns, nine interceptions and rushing in 13 scores.
Unfortunately, Hurts was exposed a bit as an erratic passer as the season concluded. His final three games, including the championship bout against Clemson, Hurts completed just 47.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 109 yards per game with just two touchdowns through the air.
Now, it’s quite possible the Crimson Tide can simply bully their way to a national championship thanks to Hurts’ ability to run and a running back corps that includes freshman Najee Harris (one of the top impact freshman in 2017), Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough.
However, it really seems more likely that Hurts will need to evolve as a pure passer in order to help Nick Saban avoid a second-straight season that doesn’t end with a title. Adding to the pressure, Hurts has freshman phenom Tua Tagovailoa breathing down his neck.