Alabama Football: Ranking Alabama starting quarterbacks under Nick Saban
By Ronald Moody
No. 1 – Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa’s Alabama football story is extraordinary. His impeccable reputation is cemented in Alabama football fans’ hearts.
The 2017 ESPN five-star number one ranked dual-threat quarterback did not disappoint on college football’s biggest stage. After several relief appearances throughout the season, fans were given a small sample size of his skills in the national championship game.
Clearly, he is Nick Saban’s most talented quarterback with pure arm talent and pinpoint accuracy. In a pressure-packed environment, he displayed immense poise after being sacked on the Tide’s first play of overtime. After receiving an earful from Saban, the lefty calmly launched the loveliest pass to the back corner of the end zone to a wide-open Devonta Smith for the thrilling victory.
Playing mostly in a mop-up role, the Hawaiian native finished the season with a 63.6% completion rate for 636 yards and 11 touchdowns. The six-foot-one quarterback displayed several times the pocket presence to escape defenders to make plays on the run.
In summary, for many Crimson Tide fans, Tua left Alabama as a bigger legend than Bart Starr, “Broadway” Joe Namath, and Kenny “The Snake” Stabler.