Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class had two quarterbacks that are now on campus and working with the team in spring practice: Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan. The two of the join an Alabama QB room that has depth, but lacks clarity in how each player is ranked.
Currently, the starting job appears to be up for grabs between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. As for Holstein and Lonergan, they are battling for the third-string quarterback position.
Holstein joins the program as a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 8 quarterback in the nation. Lonergan is not too far behind Holstein, as the Georgia native also has four stars and ranked No. 13 out of all quarterback prospects in the 2023 class.
ESPN’s Tom Luginbill recently shared his opinion on freshman quarterbacks from competitive programs all across the country. When it came to Alabama, he decided to highlight both Holstein and Lonergan.
While discussing whether Holstein will see the field at all in 2023, he writes, “The Crimson Tide have a logjam of talented quarterbacks on the roster. Unless disaster strikes, we would not see Holstein playing this fall. His goal this year is to beat out Lonergan and win on the scout team each day.”
He holds a similar opinion of Lonergan. “Lonergan will likely redshirt, run the scout team and battle with Holstein for the third spot. There is no pressure to play. Nick Saban hasn’t had to rush quarterbacks over the past few years (see: Mac Jones, Young).”
Luginbill believes the two of them can develop in the exact same fashion: use this freshman season to learn from those above them, get to know the system and be the best they can possibly be in their respective roles.
The QB room will likely be the top storyline for Alabama throughout the 2023 offseason with most eyes set on Milroe and Simpson. However, fans should also pay attention to what’s going on beneath those two on the depth chart, because either Holstein or Lonergan (potentially both) will one day be at the helm of the Crimson Tide offense.
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