On3 Roundtable: Jalen Milroe starting for Alabama in Week 1 would be very surprising

Nick Saban has a quarterback decision to make for the first time since 2018. Over the past few years, Alabama has been able to easily identify their starter and play at an elite level. This season is going to be different, from a decision standpoint, with Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe, and Ty Simpson still battling it out.

BOL‘s Travis Reier recently joined the On3 Roundtable and was asked when everything is said and done, which of the three being named the starter would surprise him the most. He went with Milroe despite being considered the favorite heading into spring ball.

“I’m probably going to go with the guy that going into the spring game, would have ranked as the favorite to start,” Reier said. “It’s splitting hairs but I would have to go Jalen Milroe there. I don’t think Tyler Buchner was brought in simply to serve as a camp arm. “

“Especially when you consider his previous relationship with Tommy Rees at Notre Dame… Going into fall camp, I would go with Jalen as the guy that would surprise me the most if he’s the Game One starter.”

Following the spring game, Saban made a quick decision to hit the NCAA transfer portal. There were rumblings of Tyler Van Dyke out of Miami. Buchner wound up being the decision though, pairing him back up with Rees. Either way, Saban knew he needed to add some flair to the competition.

Two emerging freshmen may factor into the equation as well. Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein both participated in the spring game and had a few moments of their own. Especially from the former, maybe be considered a true dark horse in the competition.

Even so, the starter is likely to come from the three of Buchner, Milroe, and Simpson. Saban is just looking to explore all of his options at such an important decision.

Buchner may be who Reier believes wins the competition but it’s still a tough decision. As usual with Saban, no kind of timeline has been presented. Fall practice may be the final stages of the competition or this thing could leak into the regular season.

“I think it’s going to be a tough one to figure out,” Reier said. “I think it’s going to take a couple of scrimmages. Maybe even that Middle Tennessee State game in the opener to figure out before Texas comes to town.”