Jalen Hurts has something to prove. After a rollercoaster rookie season in Philly, the quarterback is ready to step up to the plate as QB1 and lead his team to a successful season. As regular season kickoff approaches, he has one goal in mind: WIN.
We asked Jalen about Philly’s new leadership, what he’s most excited for this season, and what kind of mark he wants to leave on the game. Here’s what he had to say.
“Jalen Hurts is a rare breed.
I’m gonna prove that I am what I say I am. “
Q: You’ve got a new head coach and a new offensive system to adapt to this year. What has the transition to this new system been like, and what are you most excited about for this offense?
A: This year, I’m excited for an opportunity to do what I love – to go out there and play and compete. We truly have an opportunity to do something special, and taking advantage of that, working, holding each other accountable to do the things that we need to do so we can be successful, that’s what I’m most excited about.
We’re going into this new season with new everything – new coaches, new playbook, everything’s new – and we’re very excited about it. Excited about the energy Coach Sirianni is bringing in, the values and principles he’s instilling in the team. Piece by piece, we’re buying into it, coming together and being a true team, getting ready to go out there and have success.
Q: What are some personal goals you’ve set for yourself this upcoming season?
A: When it comes to individual goals and personal goals, I talk to God and we have our good conversations. But I keep it very simple: Win, Win, Win. That’s why we work. That’s where my joy comes from. It comes from winning.
There’s always the thrill of not being satisfied. Knowing that there’s always room for improvement, always more to work on. Enough is never enough.
“My football career will be defined by me. Did I use this game of football to open up doors elsewhere, create new roads and avenues to serve, uplift, change? Did I do that? That’s how I define it.”
Q: Where do you think we will see the biggest leap in your game?
A: Ever since I came into college, my freshmen year, sophomore year, junior year, senior year, every year I just gradually got better. And it just clicked for me. You take natural steps as a player – with the work you put in and what you invest – you get that out in the end, when you put that work in and you do things the right way. I’m just ready for it. I’m excited for it.
Q: Most often with teams, the quarterback is the leader in the locker room. This will be your first season in Philly where there is a strong chance you’ll be the starting QB. How do you go about getting guys, some who have never been around you or played with you before, to buy into the team and buy into you as the leader of the team?
A: You have to compete at everything you do. We’re in this every single day and you get out what you put in. I pride myself on putting something in every day – mentally, emotionally, physically, whatever it is – it all matters. In a nutshell, that’s what my leadership is. Accountability is value #1 for me. Not being a hypocrite is value #2, because as a leader, people are going to look at you and say, “What are you doing? How is he handling this?” All eyes are on you, so how you respond to a situation is very crucial. I never get on a guy, I never hassle a guy for not doing something that I ain’t doing. As a leader, I try to be a man of character, I try to be a man that’s going to do my job. I hold myself to the highest standard possible. So anything anyone else says doesn’t mean much to me, because I have the highest standard.
Q: You’ve got one of your old Alabama teammates in DeVonta Smith lined up out wide again. How was it getting on the same page and getting back that chemistry that you two had in college?
A: It’s really crazy, because you talk about having a family feel on a football team. I’ve been fortunate enough to build those relationships with people I haven’t been with as far back as college, from the offensive line to the defensive line to the secondary to other guys in the receiving core, and that’s exciting. But having DeVonta is crazy because we talked about it. We spoke it into existence. We said, we’ll play again. We’ll get a real shot at this. And here we have a great opportunity to do something special.
“Football is more than a game. I think about all the opportunities I’ve had due to this game. Picking up a ball when I was four years old, just having it in my hand, all the experiences coming up as a kid, the opportunities I’ve had to serve, to uplift, impact those around me, young and old. It’s more than a game. And in my eyes, that’s what it’s all about. If I left tomorrow, I could look back and say I’ve impacted people’s lives.”
Q: Philly crowds are notoriously tough to please. Would you say Alabama or Philly has a more raucous fanbase?
A: Alabama has a high pedigree of winning championships, and that standard has been instilled in me. Go to Oklahoma, and it’s the same thing. A tough fan base that expects greatness, that expects a standard of play at the highest level. They expect to be in the playoffs and compete for national titles. It’s the same thing here in Philadelphia, the grittiness and the “get muddy, get dirty” mentality to go get it done. I admire that.
Q: Including college and your time in the league, you’ve had quite an interesting career. Looking back, if you had the chance to give some advice to 14-year-old Jalen Hurts, what would it be?
A: Where I’m sitting now, I have this opportunity where I can be a light to so many children around the world. I think about what message I want to deliver to them. I truly believe if you believe in yourself, anything is attainable. Put your mind to it, and you can go get it. And that’s the message I send out to all kids, everywhere. Listen to the people around you, respect the people around you, your elders. Do what’s right because it’s right and go get it. You’ve gotta believe in yourself before you do anything.
Want to know more about Jalen and how he made his dreams of going pro a reality? We’ve got you covered. Here are the Five Tools You Need To Make It In The League, straight from him and some other players you might recognize.
And make sure you stock up on all the gear you need for a successful season. Shop FTBL X CLR at eastbay.com and suit up in your team’s colors.
DK Metcalf is a warrior on the football field. A physical phenomenon equipped with a dangerous combination of strength and speed, Metcalf can burn past any coverage thrown at him and toss aside any defender that gets in his way.
But Metcalf’s superhuman abilities weren’t just given to him. In fact, the road to becoming the athlete he is today was filled with bumps and potholes, including a career-threatening neck fracture he sustained in college that left him wondering if he’d ever play football again.
While rehabbing from the injury, Metcalf had to dig deep and harness the strong work ethic instilled in him at a young age by his father Terrence, who was an offensive lineman for nine years in the league.
“My work hard mentality came from my dad,” Metcalf said. “He taught me to never stop working and to never quit. Even when I feel like quitting, I know I’ve still got more left in the tank because of that.”
Once fully healthy, Metcalf immediately became a major problem for the rest of the league. During his first professional season, he racked up the third-most receiving yards of any rookie (900) and had the second-most receptions for a rookie in Seattle team history (58).
“I came in and I worked that first year,” Metcalf said. “I didn’t want to be labeled as a rookie and I didn’t want to make rookie mistakes. I wanted to come in and be a vet, act like a vet, and play like a vet. That’s how I went about my business.”
Metcalf also learned a lot from some of the vets he strived to emulate every day. He prides himself on being a student of the game and took notes from some of the best to ever do it.
“I watch and study other receivers like Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, and Odell Beckham Jr.,” Metcalf said. “Those guys are very successful in the league so I’m just looking to see what they do well and try and implement every little aspect of their game into mine.”
And even after a successful rookie campaign, Metcalf knows his business is far from finished. He wants to be one of those wide receivers to be in the “best ever” conversation. So, he’s setting his goals high and expectations for himself even higher.
“I’ve got big dreams and aspirations. I want to make a Pro Bowl. I want to win a Super Bowl. I want to be top three, top two, no, top one of the league in every receiver category,” Metcalf said. “I want to be great and I want to be remembered as one of the best to ever do it.”
DK Metcalf is determined to reach the pinnacle of his sport. And with his unmatched physicality and unwavering mental toughness, heaven help anyone who tries to get in his way.
Shop our collection of Under Armour football products that DK uses to elevate his game to an otherworldly level here.
Darnell Savage Jr. doesn’t shy away from a challenge. As far back as he can remember, he’s been proving doubters wrong and shattering the expectations set for him.
“Even as a young kid, I always felt like I had something to prove,” Savage said. “I feel like I hold myself to a higher standard than anybody. I think my goals are far above what other people would expect them to be.”
So, while some may have been shocked to see Green Bay pick
Savage with the 21st overall pick in the draft, he viewed it as
confirmation of his talents and a chance to show the rest of the world what
he’s really made of.
Eastbay got to sit down with the 21-year-old defensive back, and he gave us some insight on how he prepared himself for the spotlight. His three pieces of advice are:
1. Embrace your setbacks. They only make you stronger.
In his junior year of high school, Savage broke his right
femur, resulting in a long road to recovery that would challenge the young star
mentally and physically. But Savage didn’t use the injury as an excuse – he
vowed to come back bigger, faster, and stronger.
“Just being out of football and not being able to do simple stuff on my own was definitely difficult,” Savage said. “It challenged me mentally but also helped me grow as a player and a person. Luckily, I only broke a bone and bones heal. So I’m actually thankful for it.”
2. Become a student of the game
When Savage entered the draft, most of the talk about the
promising prospect revolved around his physical attributes. Media and scouts
alike focused on his gaudy combine numbers and insane play speed in the
secondary. But if you ask Savage himself, he says that his understanding of the
game is what makes him stand out in a league filled with talented defensive
backs.
“My best attribute is my mind. I’m an extremely smart football player and that allows me to play a lot faster and with a lot more confidence,” Savage said. “Knowing what everybody on the field is trying to do also allows me to play in a bunch of different spots. I can play corner, nickel, or safety, and I think that brings value.”
3. Don’t just talk the talk. Walk the walk.
Savage’s last piece of advice is simple and straightforward
– if you’re going to talk up your play off the field, you better be able to
back it up on the field.
“I’m usually pretty quiet and humble because at the end of the day, it’s your play that speaks,” Savage said. “You can say whatever you want, but once the coaches turn on the tape, they’re either going to see what you said or they’re going to see something completely different. So, if I do talk about my abilities, I mean it, and I’ll back it up when I’m out there on the field.”
One-handed catches, highlight-reel jukes, and in-your-face
celebrations – the non-stop action of 7-on-7 football is back. Eastbay knows
that 7-on-7 football comes down to two things, speed and style, so we’re here
to highlight some top-tier gear that’ll look and feel as good as you do after
burning that cornerback or making the game-winning interception.
Built for the dynamic playmaker, the Nike Vapor Untouchable combines
mesh and synthetic skins that let your foot breathe while still maintaining the
durability you need. Its sleek design comes in a variety of colorways,
showcasing the cleat’s electric speed on the field. Finally, the one-piece
bootie has a tongueless construction, creating a sock-like fit that wraps
around your ankle for comfort and control. If you’re the playmaker on offense
or the chasedown artist on defense, then the Vapor Untouchable is the cleat for
you.
The adidas adiZero 8.0 was made for players meant to stand
out. From the stimulating Snowcone Pack colorways to the zebra-like 3-stripe
life design, the adiZero 8.0 prioritizes uniqueness over all. Along with the
personality this cleat brings to the gridiron, it was also specifically built
with one thing in mind – speed. The knitted bootie upper reduces weight and the
Sprintframe plate propels you forward with every step. For the player looking
to make plays with speed and style, the adiZero 8.0 is right up your alley.
True to its name, this cleat was constructed for athletes
who crave the spotlight and live for the big moment. The Under Armour Spotlight
MC is one of the most comfortable and lightweight cleats on the market. It
features a SuperFoam insole that absorbs shock and utilizes the combination of
bladed and conical studs to enhance your sprints, cuts, and stop with sharp
acceleration. For game-long comfort and the ability to stop on a dime, you have
to grab a pair of Spotlights.
These gloves are the epitome of cool and comfortable. The Nike
Vapor Knit 3.0 features a high-quality knit back that ensures airflow and snug
support. They also have a modern, layered overlay design that’s stylish and
practical, increasing durability and fit. This receiver glove will fit and feel
like a second skin on the field.
The most famous glove in football just got a little better.
The Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 features lightweight padding around the thumb for
protection from defenders while utilizing Nike’s classic magnigrip palm
material that top players trust. These gloves were built to make the impossible
catches possible.
Looking for the stickiest gloves in the game? Look no
further than the adiZero 5-Star 8.0. These gloves emphasize adidas’ famous GRIPTACK palm
technology, providing the ultimate grip while catching the football. The
stylish design on the gloves complements the unique colorways adidias showcases
on their cleats. So, if you’re rocking the adiZero 8.0s on the feet, then you must
get the gloves to match.
Last but not least, Under Armour has created a pair of
gloves chock-full of technology to help you make the tough catch in traffic.
The Under Armour Spotlight gloves are made with high-compression HeatGear
fabric that provides ventilation, while the mircoknit fabric allows for stretch
and recovery. UA GlueGrip technology keeps the ball in your palms, and Power
Catch panels limit distractions so you can make the precise play. These
receiver gloves are lab tested and battle ready.
When showing up to do battle on the gridiron, you better
come protected. Nike’s Hyperstrong Forearm Shivers shield you from defenders
without losing an inch on your range of motion.
Show out in style with the Jordan Skull Cap. Dri-Fit fabric
wicks away sweat to keep you dry and the tight, dynamic fit allows you to wear
it under any type of hat or helmet.
Eastbay is your one-stop-shop for all things 7-on-7
football, so make sure to check out eastbay.com and browse our full selection
of gear to help you elevate your game.
Picture your first day at a new job. You’ve gone through the introductions and training, but now it’s time to get to business and do what you were hired for. It can be nerve-racking.
Now imagine having to do this in front of over 60,000 screaming fans as you’re expected to revolutionize the organization you’re a part of from day one. Yeah … no pressure.
This is the exact situation Jacksonville running back Leonard Fournette will find himself in when he steps onto the gridiron on September 10 in Houston. So it’s kind of a shock to see him so calm and confident. But once you hear about his intense preparation and training, it starts to make sense.
“I feel like playing in the SEC helped a lot,” Leonard said.
