Alabama Football: Does Bama have right ’23 QB on the roster?

Having the right quarterback ’23 QB on the roster is second on the minds of many Crimson Tide fans. Who will follow Bryce Young to lead the Alabama Football 2023 offense draws considerable attention. At least for now, drawing more attention is what Nick Saban will do at Offensive Coordinator.

Many Alabama football fans are hoping Bill O’Brien bypasses Tuscaloosa on his return from New Orleans and heads directly to Foxboro, MA. Whether O’Brien is as culpable for two Crimson Tide losses as some fans claim is not the point. The point is the Crimson Tide offense needs a fresh look from someone who might have better ideas. It appears Nick Saban agrees.

Within hours of Nick Saban announcing a new Offensive Coordinator, there will controversy in Tuscaloosa. The controversy will surround a new starting quarterback battle.

Alabama Football and Transfer QB

Some Alabama football fans believe Nick Saban needs to make another quick decision and bring in a transfer QB. There is little indication Saban intends to go to the Portal for a fifth QB. Not that there have not been and are some interesting options.

Former NCSU, QB Devin Leary was available, but he moved to the Kentucky Wildcats. Currently available in the Portal are Oklahoma State QB, Spencer Sanders and Coastal Carolina QB, Grayson McCall. A solid argument is among the Crimson Tide’s four 2023 QBs, at least one of them will be better than Leary, Sanders and McCall – or almost any other guy who enters the Portal later.

Even if Nick Saban is inclined to add another QB, first he must choose and announce a new OC. It could be Saban does not want another QB. With four in January and another 5-Star verbal commit in the 2024 class (Julian Sayin), adding a transfer QB in this cycle could cause the loser of a spring QB competition to transfer out.

Another factor is team chemistry. Current players have relationships with Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Nick Saban has often said players choose their team leaders. A transfer QB might gain the required level of respect and trust to lead the Crimson Tide offense. But he also might not.

On Wednesday, reviewing the Crimson Tide’s successful Early Signing Day, Nick Saban was asked about his two new quarterbacks.

"… they want to be the kind of guys who want to develop and I think both of these guys are very much committed to that. So, I mean, other than that, they’re the kind of guys we want and fit the profile of what we need at the position."

Of course, Nick Saban will speak positively about new signees. Beyond that, player development is at the core of Saban’s philosophy and for that reason, Saban may embrace quick fixes at other positions, but not a quarterback.