All eyes were on Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe Saturday as Alabama football’s quarterback battle continued, but freshman quarterback, Dylan Lonergan flashed as a possible dark horse in the competition to be the Crimson Tide’s next QB1.
Lonergan signed to play football and possibly baseball at the University of Alabama in December. He enrolled as an early enrollee in January, which allowed him to go through spring practice with the Tide and participate in Alabama’s spring game. Lonergan was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of Brookwood High School in Georgia.
Alabama fans got their first glimpse of the Georgia native Saturday. He led one of the most consistent scoring drives of the day as he converted a fourth down and completed a pass to Justice Haynes in the red zone on the same drive to help team Crimson win on A-Day. The former four-star finished the game with 79 passing yards and one passing touchdown on 8-of-14 passing.
Nick Saban praised Lonergan’s poise during his press conference after the game.
“I think both guys are making progress,” Saban said when discussing Alabama freshmen quarterbacks, Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein. “I think Dylan Lonergan has shown that he’s got a little bit of more poised playing the position. He is accurate throwing the ball…We wanted to get each one of those freshmen at least three series out there. Dylan kind of moved the team a little better. I’m pleased with the progress that they’re making, and I think they both have bright futures.”
Saban has not named a starting quarterback and is not expected to any time soon. With Alabama’s starting quarterback job still open, Lonergan will have an opportunity to make some noise this off-season and in fall camp.
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
