Alabama Football: Jalen Hurts redshirt and what follows

The Alabama football quarterback situation reshuffling that will follow a Jalen Hurts redshirt decision. If Mac is QB2, who is QB3?

There has been no official statement from Alabama football regarding a redshirt decision by Jalen Hurts. It has been rumored for several days the decision has been made by Jalen and his family. Nick Saban is expected to cooperate.

It is hard to imagine Saban not acknowledging the redshirt in his post-game comments Saturday afternoon. If, as expected, Jalen sees no action against Arkansas State, the redshirt decision will be evident.

What is also expected is that Jalen will be willing to use up to three more game appearances in case of an injury to Tua. Presumably, Nick Saban will hold on to those optional three games until an SEC championship game. That could change perhaps if Tua was injured and unable to play against LSU, Mississippi State or Auburn.

Not a done deal until it is

What happens with Jalen after Saturday is not known. How he would fit into the pecking order for practice reps will be an issue. Jalen might become QB3 or he might be relegated to a scout team role.

Mac Jones will have to be developed quickly. That means as many game snaps as possible. It also means QB2 practice reps. Don’t be surprised on Saturday if Jones gets a series or two with the Crimson Tide first unit.

There are even more ‘what-ifs’ in the QB roster. Does Layne Hatcher move up to QB3 or does Jay Barker’s son have a chance to gain that role? A couple of insiders have speculated Braxton Barker looked better during fall camp than Hatcher. One of that pair should get some mop-up snaps in the Arkansas State game.

What Nick Saban says about a Jalen redshirt decision will be interesting. He probably does not like it but with the new rule, he has little choice. Many other coaches will at some point face the same dilemma because of the new rule.

There is no doubt Saban respects Jalen and what the young man has done for Alabama football. Cooperating with Jalen also sends a message Nick Saban strives to do what is best for his players. There is added for value for Nick if a redshirt is announced Saturday. He can put away most of the distraction of the Tide transition from Jalen to Tua.

Alabama football fans may not like Jalen’s decision, but he is entitled to make it. Moving forward with the decision now also leaves more opportunity for Mac Jones to develop into a viable backup option for Tua.

Might there be no change in Jalen’s Alabama football future this weekend? The answer is yes but not so much as in ‘if’ but more as ‘when.’