Alabama Football: Five position battles to watch during Fall Camp
By Matt Melton
5. Quarterback
Looking back over the past 10 years, the main storyline entering the college football season is surrounding who will play quarterback at Alabama. While the QB position battle entering the 2021 season may not garner the same attention as say a Tua or Jalen, or even a Mac or Bryce, it is still one of the top position battles to watch going into Fall Camp.
The Crimson Tide appear set to enter the season with sophomore Bryce Young as the starter under center after backing-up Davey O’ Brien winner Mac Jones a year ago. After throwing for 156 total yards a year ago in very limited action, Young is the massive favorite to takeover the keys for new OC Bill O’ Brien’s offense.
A former five-star prospect out of Mater Dei (CA), the hype surrounding Young’s on-field potential is evident, but could certainly take some-time to get comfortable in both a new system, as well as becoming a full-time starter for the first time since 2019. Because of this, the arguable biggest position battle at the quarterback position going into Fall Camp may be on who will be Young’s backup.
The favorite to back-up Young is redshirt sophomore Paul Tyson, a former four-star from in-state program Hewitt-Trussville (AL) who has yet to throw a pass during two seasons in Tuscaloosa. After impressing over the spring, Tyson appears set to be the back-up, but don’t necessarily count out freshman Jalen Milroe, a four-star from Katy (TX) who was one of the best high school dual-threat QB’s in the country last season.
The Crimson Tide have talent and depth at the quarterback position with three players capable of starting. While the starting role will most-likely go to Young, the battle for the back-up will be one of the most intriguing to watch going into the season.