While the University of Alabama did not sign a talented freshman quarterback for its 2018 recruiting class, head coach Nick Saban and company did land its fourth scholarship signal-caller for the roster via graduate transfer, Gardner Minshew of East Carolina University.
Rumors of Minshew committing to the Crimson Tide surfaced on media last week, but Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated confirmed the news on Wednesday with a story.
The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder told Feldman that he ‘aspires to be a coach’ upon the end of his football career and that ‘being around Tuscaloosa and Coach Saban would be such an invaluable experience for him.’ Minshew, a native of Brandon, Miss., started at quarterback for ECU last season and completed 174 of 304 passes (57.2 percent) for 2,140 yards with 16 touchdowns.
Prior to his two season with the Pirates, he was a junior college athlete at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2015. During his lone year in JUCO, Minshew led the Rangers to a National Junior College Athletics Assocation National Championship with an 11-1 record.
He threw for 3,288 yards with 28 touchdowns at NW Mississippi CC.
He may not have Tua Tagovailoa’s arm talent or Jalen Hurts’ dynamic athleticism, however, Minshew brings experience and a competitive fire to the table. He wants to be a part of a championship atmosphere and will get that being around the program and its fan base.
Minshew will officially join the team at the end of May.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
