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Alabama Football: Why Jalen Hurts WON’T Start and Y’all Are Crazy

By Meredith Hornsby

Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles from Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) as Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles from Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) as Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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We may not have the official word from St. Nick as to who will be the starting QB at Bama this fall – but if you think Jalen Hurts has a snowball’s chance in hell of actually getting the start, you’re certifiably crazy.

ICYMI: Jalen Hurts A Possible Wildcard In Tide’s Quarterback Competition

It’s officially 1 week since this year’s traditional University of Alabama spring football “A-Day” game.

*We’ve rewatched highlights.

*We’ve whined because our  inconsistent kicker  couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Again.

*We’ve discussed the defense (awesome), the offense (worrisome), and Lane Kiffin’s new “I Have Cable” look he was sporting for the fan walk.

*We’re also arguing already about who will be the starting quarterback this season.

In what has recently become yet another Crimson Tide tradition, we have absolutely no idea who Saban will tap to be under center come September.

Some people are solidly #TeamBateman. They say that senior Cooper Bateman has at least some experience on the field at Bama, having served mostly

Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) passes during warms up prior to the annual A-day gamer at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) passes during warms up prior to the annual A-day gamer at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

as a backup to Jacob Coker (and a starter for that one awful game we won’t mention). “He didn’t look so hot at A-Day because he was playing our always top-notch starting defense! Bateman won’t be as nervous”, cry the masses. “He will settle in easier and be a better leader because he is a senior.”

Those who are not behind Cooper hold him largely accountable for the yucky “and 1” in last year’s record. They also say they would like to see a quarterback start at Alabama for more than a season, rather than the swinging door of guys that have passed through our locker room the last couple of years.

Many of those not in favor of Bateman tout #TeamBarnett. Redshirt freshman Blake Barnett put up amazing numbers in high school and was a consensus 5-star recruit before committing to Alabama. There’s no doubt he has an arm and appears to be quick in the pocket, which is something the Tide has been lacking in recent starting QBs.

Blake did well on the White Team at A-Day, and despite the lack of experience some say will be harmful, he has confidence in spades. (If I’m being totally honest here, anyone who has browsed Barnett’s Twitter or Instagram accounts can tell, without a doubt, the boy has….confidence. Yes, we’ll call it confidence.)

The third camp a large number of Bama fans now find themselves in is #TeamHurts. True freshman Jaylen Hurts looked extremely promising last Saturday, and had everyone talking about both his play AND his hair style.. Both AL.com and BamaHammer.com have called Hurts a “wildcard” in the QB race this season.

People love his style and his youth; if Hurts were named the starting QB this season, he would have staying power that could lead the Tide to another Championship with the right coaching and grooming. And by grooming, I mean as a player, not those awesome dreads.

My opinion?

Short version: All you people who keep saying Hurts will get the start are INSANE.

Under the watchful, “processing” eye of Nick Saban, the University of Alabama has had 5 starting quarterbacks.

Not a single one was a redshirt freshman, let alone a TRUE freshman.

Since the dawn of the Saban Era, our QBs have been upperclassmen, with the exception of AJ McCarron who was a sophomore. John Parker WIlson and Greg McElroy were both juniors when they got their first start, while both Blake Sims and Jacob Coker were seniors before they were at the helm.

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Additionally, Nick Saban has a whopping 100 – 18 record at Alabama over the last 9 years. That high of a win percentage is unsurpassed in the modern football era. It’s an understatement to say that Saban is good at what he does – that is, winning football games and bringing Championships to Tuscaloosa. Whoever he thinks will get the job done is who will be named the starter.

Based on the last few years, I’m pretty okay with letting him make the decision.

My bets are placed on Bateman getting the start with Barnett at backup.  Hurts has the kind of talent you want to hang on to; with both Bateman and Barnett already using eligibility, Hurts should be redshirted so he can maintain his playing status for as long as possible.

Roast me over the coals if you must, but I will state unwaivering that Jalen Hurts will NOT be a “wildcard” in the QB race.

More crimson tide: Lane Kiffin Trolls Tennessee On Twitter and Fans Are Mad

Patience is a virtue, my friends. Hurts will be solidly where he should be this season- on the scout team, saving his eligibility, learning The Process, and developing into the powerhouse player I expect him to become in a year or two.

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