No matter where one turns, the dialogue among Alabama fans this offseason has been Mac Jones or Bryce Young.
Supporters that enjoy experience look at Jones, while others that see the new way college football is being played are in favor of Young.
Despite both players carrying different skill sets, a competitive fire and drive to be the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide is what they share. Not having spring football hurt both young men, especially Young in getting denied the opportunity (due to the coronavirus) to develop chemistry with the team.
Both guys will play; however, the idea of who starts is taking on the form of Alabama’s quarterback race from the 2011 season.
Unlike the two competitors we see now, A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims each had one year in the system before 2011. The two arrived as pro-style signal callers, even though Sims possessed the ability to run. Sims, like Young, was a highly-touted five-star out of Chesapeake, Va.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, people viewed him as a special talent that could usher the Tide’s offense to the next level. McCarron, like Jones, was a four-star via St. Paul’s Episcopal High School in Mobile, Ala.
He was not known for extending plays with his legs, but McCarron was a natural born winner – leading St. Paul’s to a state championship in 2008. Regardless of a horrific tornado that changed Tuscaloosa forever, McCarron and Sims battled throughout the spring, summer and fall for the starting job.
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Both struggled in the season opener versus Kent State – tossing four interceptions combined – but McCarron ended up with one touchdown and more passing yards (226) in Alabama’s 48-7 win.
As talented as Sims was, the very next week sealed his fate as the backup. McCarron efficiently orchestrated the offense against Penn State, pacing the Tide to a 27-11 victory on the road. He would end up assisting Alabama to a BCS National Championship, while Sims started the journey of transferring to different schools.
Nine years have passed and nothing has changed.
It remains old school versus new school, and Tide fans are split on the decision.
Jones has the arm talent, leadership, experience and enough mobility to guide Alabama to a national title, but can he extend plays like Young?
This is the question coming from the new school.
Young has all the make-up to be a transcendent player, but can he handle the pressures that come with playing under Nick Saban, facing hostile environments on the road and performing every expectation from the fans?
The old schoolers have this very thought.
Jones hates to lose and Young is a modern-day game, where freshmen are playing earlier now more than ever before.
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The debate is hot and it will continue to go from now throughout fall practice. Whoever becomes the starter will have earned it and it shall be entertaining to witness the growth of both players.
This is looking like 2011 all over again and the game is on at quarterback.
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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.
