Kevin Steele accomplished his responsibility in one season as Alabama’s defensive coordinator.
He got the Crimson Tide playing with toughness, physicality, swagger, and focus after it struggled under Pete Golding.
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Steele returned the Tide to winning a Southeastern Conference Championship in 2023, but now Kane Wommack has the opportunity to take Alabama back to capturing national championships. The Tide will not face Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M in the coming fall; however, there are still quarterbacks that look to take advantage of the Tide’s defense.
We look at four signal-callers and two honorable mentions that will be challenges for Alabama.
Carson Beck, Georgia
Carson Beck almost became a quarterback for the University of Alabama.
He backed off his pledge in 2020 recruiting class, and it opened the door for the Tide to get Bryce Young.
Alabama benefitted from Beck’s decision as Young became the first quarterback in school history to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy (2021) and be the first to get selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Beck could have turned pro after last season, but he decided to return to Georgia for another year. He protected the football in the SEC Championship Game versus Alabama in 2023, totaling 203 passing yards on a 72.4 percent completion rating, but it was not enough. Beck watched his program get dethroned as a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion in a conference title showdown. Alabama earned a 27-24 victory over the Bulldogs, and Beck is back to avenge the loss. He had 3,941 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions last year.
Beck travels to Tuscaloosa (Ala.) in week four to face the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nico Iamaleva, Tennessee
Nico Iamaleva is one of the most talented players in college football as a quarterback.
The California native chose Tennessee as a five-star and backed up Joe Milton in 2023. He played against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl to finish last season, totaling 151 passing yards and four total touchdowns (three rushing) to lead the Volunteers to a 35-0 victory over the Hawkeyes. Iamaleava received Citrus Bowl MVP honors for his performance, and the hype on him for the fall has started.
The 6-foot-6, 195-pounder will have the crowd on his side when the Tide goes to Neyland Stadium.
Hendon Hooker, a former Vols standout, defeated Alabama in 2022 at Knoxville, Tenn. He and Jalin Hyatt connected for multiple touchdowns in a 52-49 victory for Tennessee. Iamaleva wants the same success this season against Alabama.
Josh Heupel will have a plan in place to help him take advantage of the Tide’s defense.
Byrum Brown, South Florida
Byrum Brown got a taste of Alabama in 2023 as the starting quarterback for South Florida.
He did some good things against the Crimson Tide, including 92 yards rushing on 23 attempts.
A critical interception and getting sacked four times led to Brown and the Bulls suffering a 3-17 loss to Alabama.
Brown now goes to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face Kalen DeBoer and the Tide. He finished the 2023 campaign with 3,292 passing yards, 809 rushing yards (team-high), and 37 total touchdowns for South Florida. Brown eyes a chance to potentially led the Bulls to an upset victory over the Tide on the road. His experience from last year will benefit him greatly in the coming season.
Brady Cook, Missouri
Brady Cook returns as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC.
He’s played in 31 games, but totaled his first 3,000+ yard passing campaign in 2023. Cook had 3,317 yards and 29 touchdowns (eight rushing) to six interceptions last year. He guided Missouri to 11 wins as a junior, including a victory over Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Cook will lead the Tigers into Bryant-Denny Stadium to battle Alabama in the fall. The matchup comes between two road games with Tennessee and LSU, so it could pose as a trap for the Tide if it does not take Missouri seriously.
Cook and Eli Drinkwitz are coming to Tuscaloosa with nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.
Honorable Mention
-Payton Thorne, Auburn
-Braedyn Locke, Wisconsin
-Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
