Alabama Football: Depth chart heading into fall camp
By Ronald Evans
Starting Quarterback – Jalen Hurts
There is no starting QB competition. Jalen Hurts is the 2017 Alabama football starting QB. Barring injury, that will not change throughout the 2017 season.
No one questions Jalen’s ability to lead his teammates. Jalen’s talents as a passer appear to be blossoming under Alabama football’s Quarterback Whisperers.
Backup QB – Tua Tagovailoa
Tua looked tremendous during the A-Day game. He is clearly well beyond last season’s backups. Tua will not redshirt in 2017. He will get some meaningful minutes in mop-up action. He will continue to push Jalen on the practice field. And throughout 2017, he will be one play away from being the Alabama football No. 1 QB.
Running Back Starters – Damien Harris or Bo Scarbrough
The talents of Harris and Scarbrough are well known. We’ll call them running back 1A and 1B.
Backup Running Back – Josh Jacobs
Jacobs has the broadest combination of skills of the three returning backs. Jacobs is bigger than last season, has excellent hands and is elusive in space. Insiders report Brain Daboll loves Jacobs’ versatility and expect him to see plenty of snaps. The 2017 rotation may result with Jacobs being running back 1C.
Najee Harris and Brian Robinson will also compete for playing time. Harris is too good to redshirt. So is Robinson, but can he earn enough carries to justify burning a year of eligibility?