Alabama football is in a situation it has never encountered under Nick Saban.
The Crimson Tide has five scholarship quarterbacks on its roster for the upcoming season. Jalen Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, returns after having significant playing time in two games — including one start — last year. Ty Simpson, a former five-star, brings an exceptional arm to the room. Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein, both freshmen, are very talented. Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame, has the most playing experience of any of the quarterbacks in a major Power 5 program (13 games).
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Who is the right player for the starting role? Nick Saban and Alabama’s offensive staff are trying to figure that out.
On Tuesday, reporters asked Saban about the challenge of having five signal-callers. He took time for a detailed response before participating in his annual Nick’s Kids Charity Golf event at the Old Overton Golf Club in Birmingham, Ala.
“We are trying to get everybody organized,” Saban said on Alabama’s quarterbacks. “It is a competition, and we hope the competition makes everyone better.”
Saban said ‘everything is important’ when it comes to a quarterback’s timing, rhythm, accuracy, and command of the offense.
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“We have done Zoom meetings a ton of times this month with coaches on the road,” he said. “Several other guys in the organization have done Zooms with the guys to review what we did in the spring so the guys can make progress. We are trying to figure out how can we teach better. How can guys learn better? Every guy individually learns differently. Those are all the things we are doing in spring, now, and through the summer. That is very important for these guys and the new guys.”
Saban and Tommy Rees (offensive coordinator) have work to do.
We will see in fall camp which quarterback emerges to take the starting job.
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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.
