Unlike many seasons, there is no quarterback controversy in Tuscaloosa. Bryce Young is firmly settled in as the Alabama Football starter. Paul Tyson has an opportunity to beat out Young, but at this point, Tyson can’t be as good as Bryce. To win the starting role, Paul must be better.
Most quarterback controversy comes from fan and media speculation. Neither source of strong opinion knows what the Alabama football coaching staff knows. Sometimes public opinion is on track. Other times it is seriously flawed.
Any Crimson Tide fan, who follows the team through message boards, sees plenty of flawed opinions. During spring and fall camp last year, many fans were convinced Bryce Young had to be the game one starter. The reasoning was Mac Jones would lead the Tide to many victories but was not good enough to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a championship. For those making that argument, Bryce Young was the solution.
Nothing against Bryce but fortunately the depth charts of fans don’t matter. The young man needed a season to learn the offense and its many reads. It is a complex offense and while it will be shaped by Bill O’Brien, it will not fundamentally change.
Had there not been an All-SEC regular season, Young would have attempted more than 22 passes as a freshman. He needed more work but circumstances did not allow it. So the defending National Champion goes into the season with an inexperienced quarterback. Behind Young’s four games of minimal experience, is almost nothing. Paul Tyson is in his third season in Tuscaloosa and so far has played in one game. That was against Western Carolina in 2019. He recorded no stats.
Should Alabama Football fans be concerned
Alabama football fans are justifiably nervous about what will happen if Bryce Young is hurt. Can Tyson get the job done? He has a size advantage over Young in being able to see the field better. Both players have strong, accurate arms. Tyson does not have Young’s mobility.
The worst-case scenario for Alabama Football might not be Young getting hurt. A worse case would be Tyson deciding in the spring or summer to seek more playing time with a transfer. An old-fashioned QB controversy over whether Young or Tyson is the better QB might be what’s needed to hold on to Tyson for at least another season.
Jalen Milroe is expected to have a bright future. In the short term, that future needs not to be as QB2. Milroe, coming out of a run-oriented high school system, will need a freshman year to learn the Crimson Tide offense.
Alabama football fans might want to talk up Paul Tyson more. He will be a key to a successful 2021 season. Plus, he’s better than many fans believe.