Alabama football is looking to return to the College Football Playoff after failing to make it in 2022. After losing a lot of last year’s starting talent, Nick Saban and his coaching staff will have to introduce a lot of young, inexperienced players. The most pressing positional group that needs answers is the quarterback.
Currently, a three-man race for the starting job is underway. It was originally believed to be between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. However, after Alabama’s A-Day spring game, Notre Dame‘s Tyler Buchner entered the transfer portal and committed to Alabama.
Recently, at SEC media days, Saban stated that none of the quarterbacks have yet to separate themselves from the pack. There’s a good chance this battle bleeds into the regular season, much like the 2018 battle between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa did.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg attempted to tackle the top college football quarterback competitions heading into the 2023 season (subscription required).
Rittenberg discussed what Buchner’s transfer into the program meant for the competition.
“Buchner’s post-spring decision to transfer in, and his prior connection with new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees at Notre Dame, changed the outlook for Alabama’s competition. If Milroe or Simpson had distanced themselves with impressive play, Alabama wouldn’t have been in the market for an impact transfer.”
Finally, Rittenberg managed to put together somewhat of a prediction. Though Milroe appears to be poised to take it over, Buchner has the connections and capabilities to be the Tide’s QB1.
“Buchner [wins the starting job]. I could see Milroe getting the nod, but Buchner’s familiarity with Rees and his approach should give him the edge. Both players still need to show they can avoid interceptions — Buchner has eight on 118 career pass attempts, while Milroe was picked off three times on 53 attempts last season.”
Buchner is my pick to win it, as well. That being said, it would not shock me in the slightest to see Milroe win it either. In 2022, Milroe was the quarterback Saban trusted to take over against Arkansas when Young went down and Saban again trusted Milroe to fully take on Texas A&M when Young remained sidelined.
There’s a very small window that’s getting tighter by the day, As Alabama’s 2023 season will get underway on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee at home.
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