Alabama Football: Dylan Lonergan commitment boosts ’23 class
By Ronald Evans
Monday afternoon, the Alabama football list of 2023 verbal commits again grew to 11 players. The Alabama Crimson Tide was at 11 a few days ago, but dropped to 10 after the flip of Elliott Washington from Alabama to Penn State.
Nick Saban made adding two quarterbacks a priority for the 2023 class. Only in recent weeks did it become clear Dylan Lonergan was seriously considering the Crimson Tide. Lonergan is an outstanding high school quarterback, passing for over 3,000 yards as a junior, plus over 600 rushing yards for a combined throwing and running production of 39 touchdowns.
In addition, he is a star baseball pitcher, touted to have a 90-plus mph fastball. He will play both sports for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Based on the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Consensus, Lonergan is the No. 9 rated quarterback in the 2023 class. That places him one spot lower in the rankings than fellow Tide verbal commit, Eli Holstein.
In 2023 four guys competing to become Alabama Football QB starter
Lonergan will have plenty of competition in Tuscaloosa, as four guys battle in 2023 to succeed Bryce Young.
Lonergan’s father, Dan, a former Penn State QB, had the following to say about his son’s decision.
"I think it’s the ability to play at the highest level. He got comfortable with Coach Saban allowing him to play both sports which is critical in every scenario. Once he got over that hump the opportunity to play for championships and compete at the highest level in practice and the SEC."
Dylan had similar comments about choosing the Tide.
"The fact they do everything right and their attention to detail with everything from nutrition to strength training, they take their time and that’s why they’re great. Being able to play for Nick Saban and Coach (Bill) O’Brien and being part of a baseball program that’s trending upwards is exciting."
Playing both sports should not be an issue for the young man for his first couple of seasons in Tuscaloosa. Once he is in serious contention to become the Alabama football starting QB, he might have to choose football over baseball. Theoretically, if his reported baseball potential is accurate, becoming a MLB pitcher might win out. Either way, such a decision is far into the future.
With the addition of Lonergan’s commit, Alabama moved to No. 12 in the Team Rankings of the 247Sports Composite and No. 3 in the On3 Consensus.
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Stanford was apparently the leader for Lonergan before June. Lonergan would have a far easier path to gaining a starting QB opportunity for The Cardinal, but he chose being more challenged instead.