TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– Though rumors swirled prior to spring practice that five-star Hawaiian-native Tua Tagovailoa would push Jalen Hurts for the starting position in 2017, Nick Saban has since put that to rest.
While Jalen had an outstanding first scrimmage, early-enrollees Tagovailoa and four-star quarterback Mac Jones did well also. According to Saban, both players threw a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. The question now becomes who’s up next if nightmares come true and Jalen goes down? Here are the contenders:
Mac Jones
A four-star recruit out of Florida, Jones is a prototypical pocket passer much like Saban’s former quarterbacks – AJ McCarron and Greg McElroy. Fortunately for Mac, he may have newly hired offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on his side. Daboll – who spent his last several years with the New England Patriots – is more familiar with the Tom Brady-type quarterback than the dual-threat style. Despite not having the running ability of Tagovailoa, Jones has impressive maneuverability within the pocket and can avoid the rush with the best of them. This exceptional skill set allows him to be an above average improviser in the backfield, helping him to extend plays when they break down.
When it comes to his throwing ability, he has a knack for getting the ball out of his hand quickly because of his fast release. While he doesn’t possess the strongest arm, he does add an exceptional touch to his throws.
On many occasions, he has been able to place passes right in his receiver’s bread-baskets.
Tua Tagovailoa
The highly touted five-star from Hawaii absolutely looks the part on the football field. At just 6-1, Tua won’t tower over the competition but he won’t be overshadowed either. The biggest immediate difference between Tua and Mac Jones is their body types – Mac weighs in at a mere 185 pounds while Tua clocks in at 219.
To Tua’s advantage, Jones will need to add weight to his slim frame before being able to contribute for Alabama next season. In the pocket, Tua was a consistently good decision maker with outstanding vision and a beautiful, tight spiral. In his senior season, he passed for over 2,600 yards and 27 touchdowns to just 7 picks.
While the left-hander’s quickness also jumps out on film, his toughness may be equally as impressive. He also managed another 700 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Not only is he capable of running past defenders with his speed, he can also pull a Coker-esque truck move and just flatten a defender.
Verdict: Most assume that Tua will be Jalen’s backup next season, and for good reason. However, Alabama fans shouldn’t sleep on Mac Jones if he is able to put on a decent amount of weight throughout the off-season.
Hopefully, Jalen Hurts will stay healthy throughout the season and continue budding into a tremendous all-around talent. However, if the need arises for him to rest, Alabama’s offense should still be in good hands regardless of who wins this quarterback battle.
Jake Weaver is a contributor for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter for sports news/commentary @JAWeaver0.
