Alabama Football: Ranking Alabama starting quarterbacks under Nick Saban
By Ronald Moody
No. 7 – Blake Sims
The Gainesville, Georgia local arrived at the Capstone as the 33rd ranked athlete by Rivals. The five-foot-eleven former running back guided Alabama football to the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2014 after beating out junior transfer Jacob Coker.
Blake Sims completed 252 passes for 3,487 yards with 28 touchdowns and ten interceptions. His exciting play under first-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin produced the 18th ranked offense in the country, averaging 484 yards per game. The 28 passing touchdowns from Sims led the SEC.
Sims’ innate ability to keep drives alive with his running made him a dangerous weapon for Kiffin. His game-opening 87-yard touchdown pass to Kenyan Drake against Florida was the stuff of legends.
Against Auburn, Sims passed for 312 yards and four touchdowns. At the receiving end of Blake’s arm was Amari Cooper, who set a school record against the Tigers with 224 yards on 13 receptions.
Blake Sims guided the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship win against the Missouri Tigers, however, they lost to national champions Ohio State.
No. 6 – Jacob Coker
The Mobile, Alabama native led Alabama football to an SEC Championship and a national title against Clemson in 2015 in his only season as the starter. Jake Coker passed for 3,110 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
After serving as the backup to Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston at Florida State, Jake Coker decided to return home. In 2014, he did not start and was the backup to senior Blake Sims. The following year after two games, he was not officially named as the starter. As Alabama fell behind to Ole Miss in the third game, Coker almost single handily delivered a comeback victory for the Tide, leading to becoming the starter over Cooper Bateman.
His inspiration play in the Ole Miss contest cemented him as the starter for the rest of the season. Coker’s best game was in the College Football Playoff against Michigan State as he finished 25 of 30 for 286 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team to a 38-0 victory. The senior followed up with 335 yards and two touchdowns in the CFP championship.