Reporters and Crimson Tide fans are bracing themselves to hear the “take the bull by the horns” message again from Alabama coach Nick Saban as it locates a quarterback for a third time.
This season, however, will not have a one and done signal-caller for the Tide. After five days of spring practice, all four quarterbacks—Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts—seem to have command on the football, but Saturday’s scrimmage will tell more.
Blake Sims and Jacob Coker were quality leaders, despite having one season to start. Saban addressed the media at Monday’s press conference on how this gunslinging battle will be won.
“The guy that wins the quarterback job is going to be the guy that wins the team over with his ability to play on a consistent basis, make the right decisions and show the kind of leadership to affect other people,” Saban said. “This is something everyone needs to work on.”
Sims, a native of Gainesville, Ga., won the team over with his performances against Florida and LSU in 2014.
Regardless of Alabama losing to Ole Miss last season, it was the match-up that opened the eyes of coaches, teammates and fans to Coker. Of its four participants, redshirt junior Cooper Bateman has the most experience within the offense.
“Cooper has done a nice job this spring and he’s probably gotten the most reps with the ones,” Saban said.
“There are things that he needs to work on and we need to work on with him so that he can go out and play with the kind of confidence, leadership and decision making skills needed for winning football.”
Sophomore David Cornwell was one of two guys that posted videos and pictures to social media of him focused on football during spring break. The 6-foot-5, 221-pound quarterback was a big name recruit upon enrolling at Alabama in 2014.
He was a consensus four-star prospect who accounted for 2,742 passing yards, 755 rushing yards and 33 total touchdowns at Norman (Okla.) North High School.
Cornwell has been active on scout team in the last two seasons.
“David has a really good arm,” Saban said. “His arm talent is as good as anybody we have out there.”
“His accuracy is good. He’s a very bright guy. He’s got enough experience on the offense from being around here awhile and I think he’s made a lot of progress.”
It will be a grueling process in deciding who will be under center in the fall, but April presents Alabama with two scrimmages and a spring game. All three serve as chances to see who will emerge, with A-Day falling on April 16 at 2 p.m.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
