One can now add quarterback to the list of positions that Alabama football is having success in.
It has transitioned from the “game managers” in Greg McElroy, AJ McCarron and Jacob Coker, to individuals that can vertically stretch the field, make all the throws and be explosive in the passing game. The shift happened when Jalen Hurts chose to sign with the Crimson Tide in its 2016 freshmen class. His dynamic abilities at the position led to him beating out Blake Barnett, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Alec Morris for the starting job. Hurts set a school record for total touchdowns (36) in a single season and was awarded Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year for the Southeastern Conference.
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A native Texan, he helped the Tide secure an SEC Championship as a freshman.
In the following recruiting cycle, Alabama brought in Tua Tagovailoa (five-star) and Mac Jones (three-star).
Mac Jones, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa all at Alabama in 2017, following the Crimson Tide’s win over Tennessee/ Photo comes via Twitter
Tagovailoa started generating buzz as an exceptional passer, while Jones operated the scout team. Tagovailoa ended up coming off the bench to rescue Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017. As the starting quarterback in 2018, the sophomore and native Hawaiian totaled 43 touchdown passes and 48 total scores — both were school records.
He ended up finishing runner-up to Kyler Murray (winner, Oklahoma) in the Heisman race.
After three years (2016-18) at Alabama, Hurts spent one season with the Sooners in 2019.
He was the runner-up to Joe Burrow (winner, LSU) in the Heisman conversation, following a campaign of 3,851 passing yards, 1,298 rushing yards and 53 total touchdowns. He led Oklahoma to the CFP, becoming the first signal caller to take two different schools to the venue.
Jones took over for Tagovailoa this year and is a Heisman finalist.
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Despite preseason critics, the redshirt junior has turned in a remarkable season.
He is the fifth 3,000-yard passer (3,739) of the Nick Saban era and ranks among the top-five in the nation for quarterbacks in every major category. Jones chimes in with 32 touchdown passes to four interceptions. Not only did he guide the Tide to being the first undefeated team in an SEC-only schedule, but he also anchored an offense that averaged 49.7 points per game (most in Saban era). Alabama had 10 matchups of at least 40 points, including two 60-point games versus Ole Miss (63) and Kentucky (63).
The trio of Hurts, Tagovailoa and Jones were all at Alabama in 2017 and 2018.
All three became Heisman finalists and for Jones, he has a chance to win the honor.
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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.
