Saban forgoes depth chart to prevent ‘distractions’

Alex Scarborough, ESPN

• Staff WriterAug 28, 2023, 01:42 PM ET Close Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– Not just did Alabama coach Nick Saban overlook to call a beginning quarterback Monday, however he likewise overlooked to launch a depth chart in any form.It was the first time in Saban’s 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide that he didn’t launch an official depth chart the week of the season opener.Alabama will host Middle Tennessee on Saturday.Saban stated an official list of starters and backups “produces a great deal of diversions”within the locker room.Editor’s Picks

  1 Related”And quite honestly, you understand, we do not require that,” he included. “I desire all of our players to continue to complete, continue to complete for playing time, to attempt to dip into the greatest level. And I do not desire anybody on our group to think they’re a backup player or whatever.”

  Saban apologized for not releasing a depth chart, but he stated that players know who ought to start and who should not.

  Asked whether he had an expectation to play one or several quarterbacks versus Middle Tennessee, Saban shot back, “I don’t have any expectation.”

  “We’re going one day at a time,” Saban stated. “We’re repping the players. And no matter what happens in this game … even if whoever starts in the very first game that doesn’t indicate that you don’t have to continue to compete and play throughout the season because the competitors doesn’t end like the first game at any position, consisting of quarterback.”

  Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner have been contending to change Bryce Young after the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner was picked No. 1 general in the NFL draft.Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, backed up Young last season. He started one game and completed 31 of 53 pass attempts for 297 lawns, 5 touchdowns and three interceptions.A dual-threat professional athlete, Milroe also hurried for 263 backyards and a touchdown.”I think Jalen has actually made a substantial quantity of enhancement,”Saban stated.”I think he’s more comfy in the pocket. I think that he has more confidence in the way he performs and the way he plays. And I believe that’s going to be the key to the drill for him to be able to keep that consistency in every practice so that he’s establishing the sort of practices that are going to carry over in the game and help him succeed.”Simpson, a former four-star possibility who redshirted last season, appeared in 4 games. He finished 4 of 5 passes for 35 backyards, no goals and no interceptions.Buchner played for brand-new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees at Notre Dame and moved to the Crimson Tide after spring practice.Buchner played in 13 games over the last 2 seasons, beginning 3 times. He’s thrown six goal passes and eight interceptions in his career.Further down the depth chart, Alabama likewise has the No. 5 and No. 6-ranked pocket passers in the 2023 class in Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan.The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide will host Texas in a Week 2 matchup on Sept. 9.