Saban shuts down concerns on Tide’s QB battle

Alex Scarborough, ESPN Staff WriterAug 3, 2023, 06:36 PM ET

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• Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.Alabama opened preseason camp on

Thursday with coach Nick Saban informing press reporters he believes there’s “actually great competition” among the quarterbacks.The Crimson Tide lost two-year starter and previous Heisman Trophy

winner Bryce Young to the NFL draft in April.Redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe returns after being Young’s main backup last season, starting one game and appearing in eight total contests. He completed 31 of 53 pass efforts for 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also rushed for 263 backyards and one score.Redshirt freshman Ty Simpson, last season’s third-string QB, played in four games and completed 4 of 5 passes he

attempted.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated This summer season, Alabama included previous Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner via the transfer website. Buchner began 3 games during his 2 seasons with the Irish. During that time, he threw for 949 yards, had six touchdowns and eight interceptions.In Tuscaloosa, he reunites with previous Notre Dame offensive planner Tommy Rees.”Tommy knows him much better than anyone else could,”Saban said.” I think you constantly know a player you coach him.

You know what his strengths are, you understand what he needs to improve on. And I still believe that he’s

probably getting comfy with the system. There’s some brand-new terms in it, and I believe he’s probably still getting comfy with the players around him because the other men have actually been with those men a bit more.”Saban stopped short of stating where Buchner stands in the competition. In fact, he used his opening declaration to try to put off any concerns about the quarterbacks up until a decision is made on who will start.”

You’re gon na ask me about the quarterbacks every day, and every day I’m gon na inform you the same thing,”he stated.” You understand, everybody’s getting representatives at the position. Someone’s got ta take the bull by the horns.

Somebody’s got ta separate themselves. When that takes place, we’ll tell you. We’ll be glad to tell you when we’re going to take the cake out of the oven.” We will tell you when it’s the time, all right? But up until then, there’s truly absolutely nothing to discuss. There’s absolutely nothing to state. So there’s not a lot of sense in asking about it due to the fact that we want all the guys when they’re in there, you play the position like it’s yours, like it belongs to you. You’re out there completing, you’re not examining your shoulder, you’re not fretting about what someone else does. You’re playing like you’re the man. And that’s what we want each person to do and see who can do that with the most consistency.”Alabama opens the season in the house against Middle Tennessee State on Sept 2. The following week, the Crimson Tide will host Texas.