Ever since Jalen Hurts became a household name—first at Alabama, then Oklahoma, and now as the face of the Philadelphia Eagles—the internet has a funny way of trying to place him in cities he’s never actually called home. One of the weirder rumors or frequent searches involves the Beehive State. People keep asking: was Jalen Hurts in Utah? Maybe you saw a clip on social media. Perhaps you heard about a specific coach connection. Or maybe, like a lot of football fans, you’re just confusing him with another dual-threat QB who actually did spend time in the mountains.
Let’s get the record straight right now. Jalen Hurts has never lived in Utah. He never played for the University of Utah or BYU. He didn’t grow up there. He’s a Texas kid through and through, born in Houston and raised in Channelview. But the reason this question keeps popping up isn't totally random. There are some very real, very specific "Utah" threads woven into the tapestry of his career.
The Brian Johnson Connection: The Real Link
If you're looking for why "Jalen Hurts" and "Utah" often appear in the same sentence, look no further than Brian Johnson.
Brian Johnson is a legend in Salt Lake City. He was the quarterback who led the Utah Utes to that massive 2009 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Ironically, the very school Jalen would later lead. Johnson is basically royalty at the U, and for a long time, he was the primary bridge between Jalen Hurts and the state of Utah.
Johnson has known Jalen since the QB was about four years old. Jalen's father, Averion Hurts, coached Johnson in high school. This deep-rooted family connection eventually led Johnson to become the Eagles' quarterbacks coach and later their offensive coordinator. When fans see "Brian Johnson (Utah QB)" and "Jalen Hurts" mentioned together in broadcasts, the wires get crossed. You hear "Utah" and "Hurts" in the same breath, and suddenly, the brain decides he must have played there.
💡 You might also like: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Did Jalen Ever Play a Game in Utah?
Surprisingly, no.
During his college years, Jalen played in the SEC (Alabama) and the Big 12 (Oklahoma). While Oklahoma has some geographic proximity to the West, they didn't have a scheduled road game against a Utah-based team during his 2019 season. The Sooners played teams like UCLA and Baylor, but they never made the trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium or LaVell Edwards Stadium.
In the NFL, the schedule-makers haven't been kind to Utah-based fans wanting to see Hurts in person. The Philadelphia Eagles haven't had a regular-season road game in the state of Utah during Jalen's tenure—mostly because, well, Utah doesn't have an NFL team. The closest he gets is when the Eagles play the Denver Broncos or the Arizona Cardinals.
Unless he’s there for a quiet summer vacation or a private workout that didn't make the headlines, Jalen Hurts hasn't had a reason to be "in Utah" for work.
📖 Related: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
The 2024 and 2025 Offseason Rumors
Sometimes these questions spike during the offseason. In the NFL, players travel everywhere to train. There were whispers in early 2024 about various quarterbacks heading to the high altitude of the Mountain West to increase their red blood cell count and lung capacity.
While some players like Dak Prescott or various receivers have been spotted training in the Utah park City area, Hurts typically keeps his circle tight. He’s usually found training back home in Texas or at the Eagles’ facilities in South Philly. He is a creature of habit. He likes his routine. For Jalen, "offseason" usually means "back to the lab" in places he already knows.
Why People Get Confused
It’s easy to mix up players in the modern era of the transfer portal. Here’s why your brain might be playing tricks on you regarding Jalen Hurts and Utah:
- The "Other" Oklahoma QB: People sometimes confuse the various Oklahoma quarterbacks. While Jalen didn't go to Utah, other high-profile QBs have moved around the West, leading to a blur of "didn't that guy play for...?"
- The Coaching Staff: As mentioned, Brian Johnson’s "Utah" pedigree is brought up constantly.
- The Color Scheme: This is a stretch, but both the University of Utah and Alabama wear red and white. If you're flipping through old highlights, a grainy clip of a red-clad QB running over a defender might look like Jalen in Salt Lake City, but it’s just the Tide rolling.
What's Next for Hurts?
Jalen is currently focused on the 2026 season with the Eagles. After a 2025 campaign that saw its fair share of highs and lows—and a Super Bowl MVP trophy already in his cabinet from the previous year—he's looking to refine his footwork and quicken his progressions.
👉 See also: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
He recently tied the knot with Bry Burrows in 2025, and by all accounts, his personal life is as steady as his demeanor on the field. He isn't moving to Utah anytime soon.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Verify the Roster: If you're tracking a player's history, use sites like Pro Football Reference or the official team bio.
- Watch the Coaching Ties: Often, a "player location" rumor is actually a "coach pedigree" fact.
- Check the Schedule: If you want to see if Jalen will actually be in a specific region, the NFL typically releases the full schedule in May. Look for West Coast road trips if you're hoping for a local appearance.
Jalen Hurts remains a Texas-born, Alabama and Oklahoma-bred, Philadelphia-adopted superstar. Utah is a beautiful state, but it just isn't part of his story.