Alabama concluded 2022 with a victory over Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
All eyes now shift to spring practice and the position battles that follow. However, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine wants to grade the performances of each position group from last season. We begin this process now and it should finish at the end of the month. The quarterback position is where we begin.
Quarterbacks
–Grade: A
–Starter: Bryce Young
–Backups: Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson
–2022 stats: 3,660 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 63.9% completion rating
–Summary: Bryce Young carried Alabama’s offense to the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
As a two-time team captain, he battled adversity and a shoulder injury in 2022.
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Young bailed out Bill O’Brien and the Crimson Tide several times throughout the year with incredible plays. He did not capture a College Football Playoff National Championship as a starter or repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner, but Young was the most remarkable playmaker at the position in Alabama history. He totaled 3,328 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns with five interceptions, despite inconsistency from O’Brien, the wide receivers, and the offensive line. Young leaves Alabama ranking second all-time for career passing yards (8,356) and passing touchdowns (80). Jalen Milroe earned his first start against Texas A&M, helping the Tide to a 24-20 victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He is a talented athlete; however, Milroe lacks consistency in his passing mechanics. O’Brien could have been the issue as he tried to have Milroe run an offense that’s for Young. Milroe has to develop confidence in his accuracy, timing, and ball placement. He can become something special if he makes growth as a passer.
Ty Simpson did not receive many opportunities at all.
A former five-star from Tennessee, he tossed 41 passing touchdowns to three interceptions at Westview High School. He has added weight and muscle to his 6’2″ frame as he challenges Milroe for the starting job in the spring. Simpson completed four of five passes for 35 yards. Young did everything for the Tide, and it may have gotten into the playoff if he did not get hurt.
He overcame a lot and continued Alabama’s trend of 10+ win seasons under Nick Saban. We are looking forward to the Milroe versus Simpson competition, but Young gave the quarterbacks an “A” from last year’s efforts.
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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.
