Jalen Alexander Hurts was born on August 7, 1998, in Channelview, Texas, attending the aptly named Channelview High School. Ever since Jalen was a kid, it was obvious how gifted he was as an athlete. He played football at Channelview High, where his father, Averion Hurts, coached. Hurts would prove himself a star on the gridiron, passing for over 2,000 yards and rushing for over 1,000, with 51 total touchdowns as a senior en route to being named the District 21-6A MVP and ranking as one of the top dual-threat QBs in his recruiting class.