Florence defensive backs coach Kivon Coman went through his own recruitment and saw a brighter future for his mentee Jahlil Hurley. When Hurley, now a rising five-star senior, was a freshman, Coman tried to lay it out in front of him.
Never miss a call from a coach because you never know where they’ll end up. Explore the entire country to find a school you’ll call home. Know when a recruiter is lying to you. Nearly a decade ago, Coman followed the same advice before he committed to Mississippi State. Other colleges still called him and promised more prominent roles, but Coman had to learn to block out the noise. Now, it’s Hurley’s turn.
The differences between the recruiting world Coman and Hurley grew up in are vast, however. Prospects and coaches live on social media. So do fans. In the “fluid” world of early commitments, verbal pledges are just another piece of content for them to harp on. Hurley, who became the second member of Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class in February, is facing his own batch of rumors. He attended Auburn’s campus with a few friends in April, posing in Tigers jerseys and posting photos online. Speculation about a historic flip between the Iron Bowl rivals followed, with some fans taking advantage of the unfettered access Twitter provides. Those around Hurley laughed at it.
Facing unwanted attention from reporters, though, — 247Sports currently has a Crystal Ball prediction for the Tigers and Crimson Tide — Hurley self-imposed a media blackout on April 24. Requests to comment on this story weren’t answered. Florence coaches said that Hurley is committed to Alabama, a program he’s envisioned himself at for a few years. What about the schools that are still contacting him?
“I know guys that are coming through are not trying to get him to de-commit or that kind of deal,” Florence’s new head coach Kenny Morson said, “I think it’s just letting him know if something changes, they’re there. ... I think Auburn is one of those. I know those guys on staff, they care. Obviously would love to have a five-star, a really good player, but they care about what’s best for him.”
A flip would be monumental for a few reasons. Before Williamson’s Robert Woodyard changed his decision to the Tigers last year, the last high-profile Iron Bowl switches included T.J. Yeldon and Reuben Foster, both near the tops of their classes, in 2011 and 2012. While 247Sports ranks Hurley as one of the state’s five blue-chip prospects and the fourth-best cornerback in the country, Bryan Harsin’s staff hasn’t been able to sign in a five-star through his first two classes.
Coman and Hurley frequented Tuscaloosa and Auburn games through the years. Hurley came from a family of Auburn fans, but Coman said he soon became a fan of college football as Hurley learned technique and watched more games. He’d wear an LSU shirt at one practice then dawn Crimson Tide gear the next day. Coman stressed building relationships with coaches that covered more than football. An inauspicious first meeting with Nick Saban — the legendary head coach always coaching, chiding Hurley for his hand placement — forged a bond.
“(Recruiters) still call (Hurley), but he tells them straight-up, ‘I’m fully committed,’” Coman said.
Some of the state’s best recruiters have courted Hurley. Florence-native and Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach played a huge part in his initial commitment. Auburn’s Zac Etheridge and Trovon Reed have kept in contact, too. Coman still remembers the doubt from his coworkers when, in his first season coaching varsity, he assured Hurley would be a 9th-grade starter.
With the move, Coman displaced a senior who had been starting for two seasons. Coman took a chance and Hurley rewarded him. After a sophomore year where Hurley didn’t allow a single reception on man-to-man matchups, Coman forwarded Hurley’s tape to his old coach, Dan Mullen, who was Florida’s head coach at the time. Coman pressed ‘send’ around 7 a.m. and by noon, a recruiting staffer from the Gators was offering Hurley a scholarship.
The calls haven’t stopped. Hurley, according to Coman, grew up in Florence and didn’t often leave, if at all. Coaches have encouraged him to see other campuses, with Coman guessing he may visit a few others this summer. Rumors are bound to continue, such as the nature of recruiting in 2022. But Hurley faced similar pressure once before.
“I dictate my future,” he told AL.com in February.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.
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