Alabama Football: What it will take for a QB controversy in T-Town

So far there is much interest in, but no Alabama football QB controversy.

Alabama football freshman QB, Bryce Young is creating some buzz in Tuscaloosa. Coaches and fellow players have commented on Young’s obvious talent and potential. Steve Sarkisian was practically gushing Tuesday night when he spoke about Bryce. Sark played a big role leading to Bryce’s flip from USC to the Crimson Tide.

Though Young had been on the Tide’s wish list for a long time, Alabama football was not a strong option for Bryce until Sark’s return to Tuscaloosa. Sarkisian had followed Young since he was the USC, head coach and Bryce was in middle school. Ultimately it was Sark’s offensive system that sold the Young family.

"(Sarkisian explained) how important it is to have a multiple system – a system where you use the tight end, you go under center sometimes and have different formations and different protections – and how that can prepare you for the next level if Bryce is so blessed to be able to do that."

Bryce’s father added Sark’s explanation of his system and the way he presented it “resonated” with him and his son.

Given the history between Sarkisian and the family – given that Young is described by Sark as a perfect fit for his system – there is little doubt Bryce will be an Alabama football starting quarterback. The only question is when.

Many Alabama football fans want, the when, to be now. That is part of the terrain for Mac Jones. Backup QBs in Tuscaloosa have been revered since the Bear Bryant era. The moment a starter fails, defined in Tuscaloosa as not winning a National Championship, a backup is portrayed as a Crimson Tide savior.

That is pretty much how the current Alabama football competition stands today. It is a competition that could turn into a controversy at any moment. How would a controversy evolve? Bryce Young will have to win the team. For that to happen, Mac Jones will have to lose the team. At least until the season begins, Mac has a firm grasp on being the Tide’s offensive leader.

Nick Saban is generally willing to play his best players, regardless of their time in the program. Still, game experience and performance matters, especially at QB. The essential need of prepping QB2 for game action is more complicated this season. Given possible quarantines, QB3 needs to be as prepared as QB2. That means practice reps and game snaps must go to Bryce Young and Paul Tyson.

Bryce Young’s development will be slowed by having a canceled spring practice squeezed into fall camp. The Missouri and Ole Miss games should afford Nick Saban the opportunity to play Young and Tyson. Even with additional work against Texas A&M, would that prepare Bryce Young to enter Bryant-Denny as the starter against Georgia? Two things indicate it will not. Remember how slowly Nick Saban developed Tua Tagovailoa. Also, a true freshman QB against arguably the best defense in the nation would be a risk. The kind of risk championship-quality programs do not take.

It is a mistake to completely discount Paul Tyson. To beat out Mac, Young must win the competition to be QB2. He probably will, but it may take longer than many Tide fans believe.