ATLANTA — Nick Saban saw this coming.
After an offseason of debate by nearly everyone outside his program, Alabama’s football coach knew people were going to ask Wednesday if he had decided between Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa as Alabama’s starting quarterback.
Hurts had been a steady force under center and has guided the Crimson Tide to consecutive national championship games. He also has lost only lost two starts in two years.
Tagovailoa helped Alabama overcome a double-digit deficit in the second half and beat Georgia 26-23 in overtime in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in January in Atlanta.
“I think the number one thing you will want to talk about is the quarterback controversy that you’d love to create, that you’ve already created, that you will continue to create, and I will tell you the same thing exists there,” Saban said Wednesday at Southeastern Conference Media Days. “It’s still to be determined as to who is going to play quarterback for Alabama, so you can ask all of the questions about it, but it’s still to be determined.
“Some of your questions, when you ask me about that, I’m going to say: We’ll see.”
It remains to be seen how much a thumb injury Tagovailoa suffered on the first day of spring practice will affect him in his competition with Hurts. Needless to say, there has been a lot of discussion about who will lead the Crimson Tide since the victory against Georgia.
“Even from family members and stuff. They’ll call me and ask about the quarterback position,” Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard it I’d be a rich man.”
Saban has had the same experience. In April, Jalen’s father, Averion, told Bleacher Report that if Jalen could be one of the biggest free agents in college football history if he doesn’t beat Tagovailoa for the starting job.
When asked if Hurts will be on the roster in the fall, Saban’s answer left room for interpretation.
“I have no idea. I expect him to be there,” Saban said. “I think it’s our job to give both players a very fair opportunity to have a chance to win the team at their position.”
Pierschbacher made it seem that can still be accomplished in the weeks to come, as if the competition is just beginning.
“I think that’s done on the field. It’s not something you can talk about,” he said. “It’s going into fall camp, who is going to have that leadership role, who is going to lead the team. We have a lot of practices and a lot of scrimmages coming up, so I think one of them will kind of lead it himself.”
Saban agrees.
“I love both guys. They’re both really good competitors,” Saban said. “They’re really good people. They’re good leaders. They both make great contributions to our team, and they are well liked. Somebody’s got to win the team, and however these guys can help the team, I hope they are both committed to staying and doing that.”
Saban said he hopes Hurts will graduate in December, which he is scheduled to do. That would make him a candidate to be a graduate transfer candidate who would be able to leave Alabama to play at another school without having to sit out a year.
It might sound difficult to imagine someone who has had as much success as Hurts would consider that route, but it is an example of the competition that exists in Saban’s program.
“It’s a testament to recruiting and bringing in a lot of talented guys,” Pierschbacher said. “Really, at Alabama, your position is never safe, regardless of who you are. You’re always battling for your spot.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.