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Alabama Football: No Brevin White, no Brock Purdy, no QB?

By Ronald Evans

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Fans cheer as coach Nick Saban leads the Alabama Crimson Tide out of the locker room for a game against North Texas on September 17, 2011 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Fans cheer as coach Nick Saban leads the Alabama Crimson Tide out of the locker room for a game against North Texas on September 17, 2011 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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Sunday afternoon, Brock Purdy announced he was no longer considering Alabama football. Assuming Saban withheld an offer, what is next, maybe no new QB for 2018?

Less than 48 hours from National Signing Day, Alabama football appears to have passed on Brock Purdy. The 3-Star QB from Arizona is now expected to sign with Iowa State or Texas A&M. The last visitor weekend in the 2018 recruiting calendar began with 4-Star QB, Brevin White deciding to not join Alabama football. White will stick with his commitment to Princeton.

Is Nick Saban losing his ability to close a QB? Certainly not. Alabama football swung and missed with two top QB’s, Emory Jones and Justin Fields. Realistically the current Tide QB roster is too young and too talented to attract a top QB looking for an early chance to play.

Insiders believe two 4-Star, not quite blue-chippers, might have committed to the Tide months ago. One of them, James Foster is still available. The other, Jarren Williams chose Miami. The Tide waited for Emory Jones who chose Florida later in the cycle.

Saban wants to sign a QB every class

Nick Saban wants four QB’s on his roster every season. Getting a fourth for 2018 may come down to walk-on. Some fans are asking why not add a graduate transfer QB. The problem in that approach is why does a QB transfer to be a third or fourth stringer. Graduate transfer QB’s look for playing time. Maybe, though unlikely, a grad transfer wanting a coaching career might consider the Tide in hope of a later graduate assistant position.

None of us are privy to Nick’s plan, but a walk-on seems most probable. Unless Nick has some kind of massive surprise planned for Signing Day.

Jay Barker’s son, Braxton visited Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Braxton may have considerable potential but if he does it has so far eluded the college football rating entities. Alabama football fans may love Jay but not many will root for Braxton to ever see the field.

Two 4-Stars are cued up for the 2019 class. Taulia Tagovailoa (Tua’s brother) and Paul Tyson (Bear Bryant’s great-grandson) are not locks to the Tide. But Alabama football has to be considered huge favorites for both the signatures.

Some fans see the loss of Purdy and White as a blemish on the 2018 class. Many insiders speculate neither would have played for the Tide. In that context, Braxton Barker is a reasonable insurance plan. Plus, it frees up a precious scholarship slot. Another point to remember is 2018 signee, Slade Bolton, projected as a slot receiver for the Tide, played a good bit of QB in high school.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

Lots of news will come out Monday afternoon and night as players and their families make final decisions. Stay up to date with Bama Hammer.

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