As it stands, Alabama’s quarterback competition has been narrowed down to three contenders: Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and Tyler Buchner. Well, ‘narrowed down’ may not be the best phrase to use considering the competition grew from two players to three after Buchner transferred in from Notre Dame about a month ago.
Crimson Tide fans haven’t felt this unsure at quarterback since before Jalen Hurts got to campus. The last time there was a quarterback competition, it was between an incumbent starter that led the team to back-to-back national championship appearances and a young star who took the nation by storm by winning a national championship. The current situation for Nick Saban and his program is vastly different.
The ongoing competition has many fans worried that the uncertainty could lead to a disappointing season for the Crimson Tide.
David Hale of ESPN recently took a look at the quarterback situation for all 133 FBS programs as the 2023 season approaches. When putting it all into a broader perspective, Alabama’s situation may not be all too bad.
When examining all the different situations, Hale broke them all down into six tiers. Alabama falls under ‘Tier 3: Never Question the System.’
The Tide is joined by Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee. Not a terrible crowd to be involved with if you ask me.
“In Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama, the Tide have entered seven offseasons without an incumbent starter before 2023,” writes Hale. “The eventual winners of the starting job in those seasons completed 67% of their throws, accounted for 192 touchdowns and just 53 turnovers and posted a combined 79-4 record, with Alabama winning four national championships.”
There are still a few months remaining in the offseason for players to separate themselves. However, for now, it seems to be a pretty even race all around.
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