Jalen Hurts is making a name for himself as the quarterback at Oklahoma, and his former coach is taking notice.

On the “Golic and Wingo” show on ESPN Wednesday morning, Alabama coach Nick Saban praised his former player and the performances he is putting together for the Sooners this season.

“Doesn’t surprise me at all,” Saban said “Jalen is a very mature guy. Great competitor, unique skillset, and improved dramatically last year when he wasn’t playing as a passer. Because he worked at it, he had a good coach, and he knew that was something that he needed to get better at, and it doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m actually happy for the guy. There’s never been a guy that — anywhere in college football — that did things more correctly and set a better example as a leader than Jalen Hurts did while he was here by staying here after he was replaced as a starter. I have the utmost respect for this guy as a person and as a competitor. I’m glad to see him doing well.”

You can say that again. Hurts has thrown for 2,074 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 74 percent of his passes and only being intercepted three times, helping lead the Sooners to a 7-0 record and No. 5 ranking.

Saban and the Crimson Tide might still wish Hurts was wearing the Alabama crimson instead of that of the Sooners right now after Tua Tagovailoa, who won the starting position from Hurts heading into last season, is out after suffering a high ankle injury in the win against Tennessee.

If all goes well for these two teams down the stretch, we could possibly see a matchup between the two. Now that would be fun.