The Alabama QB Race Just Got More Interesting

The Alabama QB Race Just Got More Interesting

Nick Saban, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa sounded off on the Alabama quarterback battle. Let's read into it, shall we?

Aug 4, 2018 by Kyle Bratke
Should Jalen Hurts Hope To Sit The Bench?

Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa?

The instant Tagovailoa played hero in January to lead Alabama to its 11th national championship, the debate began. 

While all was relatively quiet in Crimson Tide Country throughout the spring and summer, as the season quickly approaches the chatter has gained more steam and, according to Nick Saban, it’s all the media’s fault.

Saban said at SEC media days, "I think the number one thing that you will want to talk about is the quarterback controversy that you'd love to create, that you've already created, that you will continue to create. It's still to be determined as to who is going to play quarterback for Alabama."

Turns out, when you replace a quarterback that has led you to back to back national title game appearances at halftime of the national title game with a freshman, and said freshman completes an incredible comeback to win a national title, you may have a quarterback controversy on your hands. 

Saturday, Hurts, Tagovailoa and Saban all met with the media and answered very differently when asked about the Crimson Tide’s quarterback job. 

“It’s actually good to see y'all guys, I kind of feel like they have been hiding me from y'all," Hurts opened with. 

What he would go onto say over the next six minutes would surprise the college football world. 

“No one came up to me the whole spring, coaches included, no one asked me how I felt. No one asked me what was on my mind,” Hurts continued. “Now when we're trying to handle the situation now, for me it's kinda late. It's too late. The narrative has already been created."

Watch Hurts' meet with the media Saturday morning.

Tua on the other hand opted to go coach speak. 

“We don’t talk about any quarterback controversies at practice. Me and Jalen don’t even bring it up,” Tagovailoa said. “Coach Saban and his coaching staff will make the best decision for us.”

Watch Tagovailoa speak to the media.


Finally, Saban doubled down on his comments from SEC media days. 

“What you guys are totally fixed on is somebody has to be first team and somebody has to be second team," Saban said. "Tell me why? I’m asking you, why? If there’s people on our team that can contribute, why would we not utilize their ability to contribute?”

Watch Saban's press conference from Saturday morning.


Two days into camp, the Alabama quarterback race just got a lot more interesting.