Paul Finebaum reveals how Alabama could make 'situational' choice for starting quarterback

Training camp has started at Alabama, and the quarterbacks are front and center. Nick Saban has promised not to provide many updates until a starter is declared, but Paul Finebaum pointed out a way the Crimson Tide coach could make a “situational” pick.

Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson competed for the starting job throughout the spring, but Saban and new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees dove into the transfer portal to bring in Tyler Buchner — Rees’ quarterback at Notre Dame. Buchner was the Fighting Irish’s starter last year before missing most of the season with an injury, but lost the starting job this year to Sam Hartman.

Just because he lost that competition to Hartman doesn’t mean Buchner can’t win the starting job at Alabama, though, according to Finebaum. His familiarity with Rees could even give him a leg up even though Simpson has generated plenty of buzz. However, Saban could opt to start the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Milroe — who Matt Barrie called a “create-a-player type of player” — during Week 1.

While that could be the case, Finebaum argued the situation could determine when Milroe gets used.

“We’ll try not to use too much deductive logic here, but Nick Saban hires Tommy Rees. The first thing Tommy Rees does, he brings along his quarterback, Tyler Buchner — who, by the way, loses a job to Sam Hartman, but I’m not sure that’s any shame,” Finebaum said. “I have people that argue Ty Simpson, but Buchner seems more likely. What you said about Milroe is 100% correct. He will maybe start the first game, but I think Alabama looks at him as somebody who can be situational and be a factor. He’s a phenomenal athlete, he can do a lot of things. Is he a starting quarterback? I doubt it.”

Breaking down the resumes of the three Alabama quarterbacks

Each Alabama quarterback has a different set of skills and experience. Milroe got some game reps behind Bryce Young a year ago after he went down with an injury. In eight games, he completed 31 of 53 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. He also did work on the ground, rushing for 263 yards and a touchdown.

At Notre Dame, Buchner appeared in 13 games over two years. He spent his freshman year largely behind Jack Coan in 2021, but still threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 336 yards and three scores on the ground. In 2022, he threw for 651 yards over three games — including 273 yards and three touchdowns in the Gator Bowl against South Carolina.

Simpson didn’t play much as a true freshman last year, completing 4 of 5 passes for 70 yards in four games. He is a former five-star recruit and was the No. 25 prospect in the nation from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.