Nick Saban talks progress of Alabama QBs Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson

Nick Saban evaluated the progress of Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson in their ongoing quarterback battle for Alabama.

With the spring period almost over, both signal callers want to try and take a step forward. Saban wouldn’t give anything away though.

This is a battle likely to be won in fall camp before the Crimson Tide open the season.

“They both made some good plays, but they also both, you know, made some plays that they probably wish they would have had back,” Saban said of the latest on the quarterbacks. “So, but they’re making progress, they’re improving. I think that they’re developing some confidence, you know, in the offense and what they’re supposed to read and what they’re supposed to do. You know, I thought we were a little up and down today. I think we made some really good plays, but I also thought we made some, you know, maybe mistakes that we need to eliminate.”

Right now though, the quarterback race is reportedly leaning towards Milroe, who received big game action last season.

Nick Saban evaluates Alabama quarterbacks, no decision made

That assessment is consistent with what former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy told On3’s J.D. PicKell. He joined The Hard Count and suggested Milroe has progressed well in the offense under new coordinator Tommy Rees, and his athleticism is a reason why he could find himself becoming QB1.

“I think in order to first understand the quarterback competition, we must first look at the offensive identity that they’re going to lean on and what their points of emphasis will be,” McElroy said. “Now, based on all accounts, Jalen Milroe’s taken a lot of really nice strides forward this spring. I would say because of his athleticism and knowing how many off-schedule plays have occurred not just for Alabama, but across college football, that athleticism, that explosiveness, being arguably the most gifted guy with the ball in his hands on the entire roster, that would go a long way in allowing him to keep hold of that starting quarterback job.

“But there are issues, because sometimes, when you let someone down and you have a disappointing performance as it relates to ball security, those are difficult things to forget and that’s a difficult narrative to adjust. That was clearly something he struggled with last year. … I think that is going to be a difficult thing for him to shake, but his athleticism I think does give him an advantage over Ty Simpson knowing that if a play breaks down, he can still potentially take it the distance.”

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It remains to be seen what Saban chooses, but Alabama should be in good hands regardless.