Tua Tagovailoa is the Alabama football starting QB. After almost eight months of near constant consternation, how it is best to move on.
For Alabama football fans what almost felt like a national nightmare is over. The Crimson Tide has a clear starter at QB. Now that Tua Tagovailoa is ‘the guy,’ what comes next? Should we Alabama football fans continue vigilantly seeking every little detail suggesting future drama?
A reasoned response would be feeling secure Nick Saban will work through whatever happens. Still, casting aside doubt is never easy. What if this, and what if that, remain on our minds.
The new focus of our angst is redshirt options affecting Jalen Hurts. The new NCAA rules allow him to play in four games or less without losing a season of eligibility.
On Monday, Nick Saban was clear he does not approve of any player refusing to join his teammates on the field. Nick also said he had not given a potential redshirt much thought. It could be that Jalen has already made up his mind to support the team whenever needed. Such a decision would be consistent with what we have seen of Jalen’s character for two years.
Jalen may face a tough choice
Family, friends and others near Jalen might be thinking just the opposite. An argument Jalen needs two more seasons at his next college stop would be strong. Coaches interested in a Jalen transfer to their school will likely push hard to make it a two-season deal.
Whatever happens, the redshirt issue will almost certainly play out before the end of September. The fifth game of the 2018 season is Sept. 29 against Louisana-Lafayette. If Jalen wants to leave the redshirt option open, it will require sitting out one or two September games.
What can Nick Saban do?
No one not privy to all the direct, inside information can know what Saban should do in this situation. It appears he wants Jalen committed to the team as far as January 2019. Nick may not be able to make that happen. He also appears to sincerely want what is best for Jalen, as a player and a person he respects. Saban must balance that against what is best for the rest of the team. As much as he tries, Saban may not be able to do both.
The Arkansas State game and the playing time split between Jalen and Mac Jones may offer clues to the future. If at some point this season, Mac is Tua’s backup, he needs as many snaps as possible in preparation.
Alabama football fans no longer have a worry at starting QB. But we have a big worry about who, and how good, the backup will be.
As this situation winds and unwinds, Alabama football fans should continue to acknowledge what Jalen has done for the program. The applause that greeted him when he ran on the field Saturday night should not evaporate.