Nick Saban provides update on quarterback battle, discusses timeline for decision

Alabama is still searching for Bryce Young‘s successor, and head coach Nick Saban hasn’t budged on who he’s planning to start under center to being the new season.

During SEC Media Days on Wednesday, Saban revealed where Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner stand with just over a month remaining until the 2023 college football season.

“We need all of our quarterbacks to develop for our team. I don’t think anyone has separated themselves to this point, even though I’ve seen improvement in each and every guy in terms of what they’re doing and how they’re developing,” Saban said. “But we need that on our team. We don’t just need a starter, we need a backup, we need good players [throughout the depth chart] at that position.

“Just like Jalen Milroe had the opportunity to play last year, he was ready in the Arkansas game and then the Texas A&M game. So, when someone separates themselves, and nobody knows for sure when that is — I can’t establish a timetable … it’s going to happen when it happens.”

Milroe ended up finishing the 2023 season with totaling 297 yards on 31-of-53 passing with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also contributed 31 rushes for 263 yards and one score to give him the most experience in Saban’s system out of the three.

Still, Simpson is a former five-star recruit and the fanbase is high on that ranking. Heading into his second season in Tuscaloosa, he might be lacking experience but the intangibles — and hype — is there.

Buchner threw a wrench into the quarterback battle after the spring game, transferring into the program from Notre Dame. As a sophomore in 2022, Buchner threw for 651 yards, three scores and five picks on 46-of-83 passing (55.4%) with the Irish but elected to transfer after Sam Hartman, the No. 1 QB in the 2023 transfer portal cycle, joined the program.

Many experts believe Simpson is the player expected to be under center most often in 2023, although former Alabama QB and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy says a two quarterback system could play to the Tide’s advantage this season. Though, Saban has never been too keen on rotating the quarterback position.

The Crimson Tide begin their 2023 campaign on Sept. 2 inside Bryant-Denny Stadium against Middle Tennessee State. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Crimson Tide have opened as 39-point favorites regardless of the final outcome under center.