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Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell knows keeping Jalen Hurts in the pocket won’t be an easy task
By Cody McClure
Published:
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has proven to be electric at times when he scrambles outside the pocket.
He can make plays with his feet and with his arm while on the run. And with that ability, he’s earned the respect of Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Ferrell spoke with reporters on Thursday in regards to Hurts’ dangerous out-of-the-pocket ability.
“He doesn’t go down easy,” Ferrell said. “He’s not a guy that we can arm tackle at all. He’s very, very strong, and has good pocket awareness. He knows the different gaps and rush lanes where he can escape through.
“And if you watch the tape, he’s made a lot of deep balls scrambling off the run,” Ferrell added. “At the end of the day, he’s very good with his eyes when he’s trying to escape the pocket. But he’s (also) very good at keeping his eyes downfield because he knows he’s got good receivers back there still trying to get open.”
Hurts won’t be easy to contain for the top-ranked Tigers when they battle No. 4 Alabama in the College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl semifinal on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Almost sounds like Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell is talking about a running back here, but he said the Tigers know how dangerous Jalen Hurts can be throwing the football when he’s scrambling. pic.twitter.com/C7M1kQXze1
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 28, 2017
Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.
