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Alabama’s quarterback vacancy has been filled by Mac Jones, who has been on the team since 2017. While he sits atop the depth chart, for now, many fans are wondering when the five-star, true-freshman Bryce Young will see some playing time.
Well, there’s a strong chance it’s in the season-opening matchup against Missouri.
Nick Saban has been picky with his quarterbacks while coaching the Crimson Tide. It has clearly paid off for him, as he has led Alabama to five National Championship wins since 2006.
True freshman is usually cause for hesitation, likely meaning one of two things: a lack of depth forcing the first-year player to be thrusted into a starting role, or an absolute star of a player that earned the job over incumbent players.
In 2016, Jalen Hurts, a true freshman, led Alabama all the way to the National Championship with an undefeated record and an easy 54-16 win over Florida in the SEC Championship. However, they were unable to secure the national title with a difficult loss to Clemson.
The following season saw the emergence of a new true freshman. This time in the form of a five-star, dual-threat quarterback from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Enter: Tua Tagovailoa.
Hurts was the clear starter to begin the season, and that never changed. While Hurts was the starter, Saban also sought out opportunities for Tagovailoa to see some in-game experience.
Tagovailoa never started a game as a true freshman, but he did appear in eight games, where he put up impressive numbers, considering the minimal playing time he saw. A 63.6% completion percentage, 636 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.
It went beyond gaining experience when Alabama was down 13-0 to Georgia at halftime in the 2017 National Championship. Saban went all-in on the true freshman quarterback. And it paid off with an overtime win in Alabama’s favor to bring in national title No. 17.
When Tagovailoa became the starter, and Hurts transferred, Mac Jones became the No. 2 quarterback. Even then, he saw plenty of playing time, before ultimately becoming the starter late in the season due to Tagovailoa’s season-ending hip injury.
Now, with Tagovailoa in the NFL, Alabama has Jones as the named starter, and Young sitting just behind him.
If one thing has been made clear in recent years with Saban, it’s that being a true freshman does not eliminate you from being put into the game, especially if the lead is large enough for that player to have some wiggle room to make some mistakes.
Alabama is favored in the season-opening matchup by 27 points. If the second half begins with a healthy lead, it would certainly not be surprising for Young to get some action in shortly thereafter, or even in the fourth quarter.
Don’t be shocked to see the young quarterback get some solid shots in during his few minutes, his strong arm and dangerous mobility could earn him more playing time, and an eventual starting job before then end of 2020.