Alabama QB Jalen Hurts earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year under Lane Kiffin. Duplicating that kind of performance with a new offensive coordinator wont be easy, but not if you ask a former Tide QB.

Hurts dazzled with his arm and his legs as a true freshman, responsible for a single-season school record 36 TDs, while guiding Alabama to an SEC championship and a berth in the national championship game.

SEC Network analyst Greg McElroy, who played quarterback in Tuscaloosa from 2007-10, thinks Hurts could be poised for an even bigger year under new OC Brian Daboll.

McElroy talked about the major strides in the pocket made by Hurts in the offseason during a special segment with ESPNs Marty Smith inside Alabamas indoor practice facility.

Hes created a great relationship with Jalen and Jalen trusts him, McElroy said. In the short period of time, theyve developed a chemistry that I dont think Jalen had with Lane Kiffin at any point last season. Jalen was trying to learn the offense, but now hes got a good grasp of the offense.

Were going to see more pro-style passing concepts. Slow, deliberate, long-progressing routes downfield.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound Hurts rushed for nearly 1,000 yards, going for 954, anAlabama single-season record by a QB.

However, McElroy believes Hurts will be showing off some newfound confidence as a passer, building on a season that saw him throw for2,780 yards with 23 TDs and 9 INTs.

Were going to see Jalen Hurts a little bit more under center this year, McElroy said. Now, Bo Scarbrough, 245 pounds, hes able to come straight downhill, and thats a full head of steam hitting A gap to A gap on either side of center. Thatll help with play-action.

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