Alabama Football: One week out – where the Tide stands with QB recruits
By Ronald Evans
Nick Saban wants to sign a quarterback in every Alabama football signing class. The Tide is down to Brock Purdy, Brevin White or no one.
Nick Saban usually gets what he wants because he always has a plan and is relentless in executing it. The Alabama football, annual recruiting plan is always to sign a quarterback. Saban pursued big-time recruits Justin Fields and Emory Jones who chose other schools. The Tide has little to offer in terms of playing time behind its current QB roster. A recruit not prepared to wait his turn is better served by going elsewhere.
As the 2018 recruiting cycle sprints to conclusion on February 7th, the Tide has few QB options. Make that two options. A third option is Nick not executing his plan and settling for no 2018 QB recruit. That’s possible but not likely.
Anyone not named Purdy or White?
According to Alabama football insiders, the Tide could have locked up a QB weeks ago. James Foster, 4-Star from Montgomery, AL and a longtime Tide fan was ready to commit. Saban decided to keep his options open. Foster looked elsewhere and now will probably sign with LSU or FSU. Eight SEC schools and other top programs offered Foster who patiently waited for the Tide. He is no longer considered an option for Alabama.
As a possible fallback position, Arizona commit Jamarye Joiner was scheduled to visit Tuscaloosa February 2nd. That visit has been canceled. Carefully guarded inside Nick Saban’s office, the ‘Big Board’ may have a QB name or two unknown outside the Tide staff.
Will it be Purdy or White?
All reports indicate Saban will be pleased with either player. Neither one of the young men is expected to wait until National Signing Day. In some ways both are longshots. In other ways, they are perfect fits.
Neither player seems particularly concerned about early playing time. Brock Purdy, who battled mononucleosis as a high school junior could use a redshirt season to add strength. Still, young men want to play as soon as possible. It could be a long wait for Purdy in Tuscaloosa. He has other options, specifically Iowa State that is working hard to close him.
Brevin White is committed to Princeton. Since the Ivy League does not offer athletic scholarships, he is not bound to the Tigers. White is higher rated than Purdy, a 4-Star compared to a 3-Star. Those recruiting ‘stars’ mean nothing to Nick Saban. Both young men can sling the football.
Turning down an Ivy League education and the connections that come with it is a difficult proposition. Although, in terms of an undergraduate degree the two schools are not miles apart. If White chooses the Tide, it will be because it allows him to pursue NFL dreams.
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Saban wants four QB’s on the roster. That requires adding one and not losing any of the current three in the offseason. Alabama football fans hope Nick gets what he wants.