Why Alabama fans should be excited about Nick Saban's optimism on the Tide's QB battle

While close to 30 programs will hold spring games this weekend, Alabama still has another full week of practices before A-Day on April 22. 

Just more time to dissect and discuss the Crimson Tide’s quarterback derby between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson?

Eh, probably not. 

While Alabama fans are eager to hear — and soon see — the latest in the race to replace former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, head coach Nick Saban has been intentionally vague on his team’s quarterback competition this spring. Following Friday’s scrimmage, Saban was complimentary of the offense, but didn’t single out either Milroe or Simpson by name. 

“Offensively, I thought we were pretty consistent in terms of what we did,” he said. 

“We moved the ball effectively and with balance, run and pass. Both quarterbacks played equally well. Both of them got opportunities, and both of them, I thought, did a nice job out there managing the game.”

Saban’s comments were the only time he even broached the subject of quarterbacks during his entire media availability, which has been a theme throughout the spring. He’s been reluctant to offer many specifics on the battle, as the competition to replace Young is likely to extend into the summer and fall. 

According to insiders, Milroe and Simpson produced touchdowns in the scrimmage and both quarterbacks did a nice job protecting the football. 

Barring any late separation this spring, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Saban, who has a history of playing multiple quarterbacks to start the season, rotates Milroe and Simpson in Week 1 against Middle Tennessee before picking a starter for a monster showdown with Texas the next weekend. 

Both contenders are former Top 100 prospects who offer stark contrasts in styles and skill sets, yet the returns thus far suggest Milroe, a dynamic athlete with a big arm, and Simpson have found success this spring operating Tommy Rees’ scheme. Still, while the praise has been faint on the QBs, Alabama’s 30-year-old offensive coordinator recently received plaudits from Nick Saban, who complimented Rees’ player development and tweaks to the “Alabama scheme.”

“Tommy does a great job with the players. Players like him. He’s taken our system and pretty much used our system that we use, added some things to it,” Saban said. 

“I think the offensive line has done a good job. We’ve got a few more multiples in terms of how we can run the ball. Does a really good job with formations and how to use formations to create advantages for us on offense. I’m really pleased with what we’ve been able to do on that side of the ball and how we’ve developed.”

So far this spring, the best news for Crimson Tide faithful has been the positive vibes surrounding the team’s quarterback situation.

The pieces are simply better. They seem to fit Rees’ philosophical style — a downhill rushing attack with a vertical play-action passing game — better, too. 

Last season, Bryce Young had to be Superman for Alabama’s offense. The Tide’s OL was too inconsistent, forcing Young to routinely play backyard football. And unlike his Heisman Trophy season the year before when he had Top 50 NFL Draft picks Jameson Williams and John Metchie at receiver, the Tide was raw and inexperienced at the position. The unit was plagued by an inability to create separation against physical press coverage. 

And yet, Young was so good he still threw for over 3,300 yards with 32 touchdowns to just five picks. Meanwhile, Alabama’s ground game ran hot and cold, too. With Jahmyr Gibbs, the Tide were excellent at hitting explosive runs, but as a team, they ranked just 45th nationally in rushing success rate because they were bad in short-yardage situations. 

So Young and Gibbs are gone now, but it’s notable the confidence Saban has expressed throughout the spring on everything around Alabama’s quarterbacks. 

The development of Milroe and Simpson remains “critical” for the Tide’s overall success, but Saban really “like the players that we have around them.” 

After Friday’s scrimmage, Nick Saban complimented an improved offensive line. He also noted the development of Alabama’s set of skill talent — at both receiver and tailback. 

We still need to see if on the field, but the reports this spring suggest the receiver room is more seasoned and versatile. 

Guys like Jermaine Burton, Ja’Corey Brooks, Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice  all look more polished than they did a year ago. The early reviews around top JUCO transfer and 5-star signee Malik Benson, who has been compared to the next Henry Ruggs III at Alabama, have been outstanding. It’s a group with varying skill sets and a lot of speed. 

At tailback, the Tide won’t have Gibbs’ all-world talent anymore, but they’re arguably a deeper and more physical bunch in 2023. Saban wants to start bullying teams again, and so the returnees Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Jam Miller — three former Top 100 prospects — all added some weight/strength. The addition of 5-star freshman Justice Haynes gives the Tide another 205-pound thumper with juice, too. Haynes reportedly ripped off a 30-yard run against Alabama’s first-team defense on his first carry in Friday’s scrimmage. With the Tide expected to be more balanced offensively, having four capable tailbacks (plus the future addition of fellow 5-star signee Richard Young) provides whoever wins the QB derby greater cover. 

“All four guys have had really, really good springs,” Nick Saban said. 

“They’re all very productive players. All these guys can contribute to the team in some ways. I mean, going really, really, really well. That’s, as long as we can stay healthy, I don’t think that’s an issue on our team.”

Alabama still has to sort out the most important position on the field, but with a little more than a week to go in spring ball, Tide fans should be excited that there’s real optimism that the guys around whoever is QB1 are much better suited to elevate the offense compared to last season.