Nick Saban overheard criticizing Jalen Hurts' decision to run, not pass, in spring game

Scott Gleeson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Breaking down the QB competition at Alabama SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down Alabama's quarterback competition between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa.

Alabama coach Nick Saban frustratingly criticized quarterback Jalen Hurts, last year's starter, during the Crimson Tide's spring game on Saturday and had his unfiltered thoughts caught on a hot mic during ESPN's broadcast.

After Hurts scrambled for 26 yards instead of throwing a pass, Saban was not pleased.

"Without me saying it," Saban was heard blasting Hurts' decision to run instead of pass. "Two years. I mean the third-team quarterback can move the team right down the field throwing the ball."

Third-stringer Mac Jones outplayed Hurts in the spring game, and Hurts is already facing a huge offseason quarterback battle against national championship hero Tua Tagovailoa, who replaced him in the title game. Tagovailoa, dealing with a hand injury, didn't play on Saturday.

Hurts' father, Averion Hurts, told Bleacher Report in a story last week that his son would become "the biggest free agent in college football history" if he doesn't earn the starting QB spot from Saban.