Alabama QB Jalen Hurts has faced plenty of criticism this year, even as he’s continued to play well following his breakout SEC Offensive Player of the Year campaign as a true freshman in 2016.

That criticism is because many believe that Hurts still hasn’t developed as much as he should as a passer and continues to rely too heavily on making plays with his legs.

However, Hurts’s teammates have his back, and on Thursday, TE Hale Hentges said everyone in Alabama’s locker room believes in the sophomore quarterback (via 247Sports):

“What Jalen does for us, we really don’t care what everyone says — media, the fans. They can say whatever they want about Jalen, but we know what he does for our program,” tight end Hale Hentges said. “He’s a fearless leader, he’s our guy and he’s led us to many great wins. We’re behind him 100 percent, we believe in him and he’s done a great job for our offense.

“And he’s going to continue to do a great job.”

Hurts has a great chemistry with star WR Calvin Ridley, but he’s going to need to spread the ball around more against Clemson’s tough defense in the Sugar Bowl if the Crimson Tide are going to advance to the national championship game.

That said, Hurts is a game-changing playmaker and will be able to affect the game in more ways than just with his arm on New Year’s Day.