Breaking down the biggest QB battles
Jalen Hurts’ comments this month — that the team’s decision at quarterback “has always been the elephant in the room” — were noteworthy in one respect: For the first time, someone at Alabama admitted to the existence of an offseason competition.
How things play out for the Crimson Tide through the end of August is one of college football’s dominant on-field storylines heading into the start of the regular season. But the Tide aren’t alone in their unsettled debate between Hurts and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa.
With just weeks until kickoff across the Football Bowl Subdivision, here’s a glance at the state of several ongoing quarterback battles.
Alabama
Jalen Hurts (Jr.) and Tua Tagovailoa (So.) — Tagovailoa has been the projected starter since the final pass of last season, which the then-freshman lofted into the arms of wide receiver DeVonta Smith to capture the Tide’s latest national championship. So you can see the genesis of Hurts’ comments: In what scenario would Nick Saban pull Tagovailoa back out of the lineup and reinsert Hurts into the starting role?
Saban’s pick isn’t official. There are two questions unanswered. What sort of changes would Tagovailoa bring to the Tide as the full-time starter? And with his odds of retaking the role dwindling,
Alabama not the only power with competitions under center
Two- and three-way quarterback battles are being played out at Alabama, Clemson, Southern California, Nebraska, Texas and Florida State
will Hurts opt to stay at Alabama through his junior year or transfer before the start of the regular season?
Clemson
Kelly Bryant (Sr.) and Trevor Lawrence (Fr.) — It’s not that Bryant has done anything to show the staff that he isn’t capable of leading the Tigers back to the College Football Playoff, it’s just that Lawrence has been that good since stepping on campus as one of the top recruits in the country. It’s possible that Bryant won’t lose the job but that Lawrence will simply take it away.
Back in the spring and early summer, the idea that Lawrence would supplant a senior atop the depth chart seemed a stretch. That’s no longer the case. Lawrence is a very real contender to grab the job heading into the opener, which would allow the freshman to get acclimated to the position before an important road trip to Texas A&M.
Either way, Clemson’s in good shape. Bryant is good enough to lead this team back into the title mix; it’s fair to expect he’d be better as a senior. On the other hand, if Lawrence is too good to keep on the bench … well, that’s a sign Clemson has upgraded at a key position.
Southern California
JT Daniels (Fr.), Matt Fink (So.) and Jack Sears (RS Fr.) — Another competition that isn’t technically settled, though a clear favorite has emerged: Daniels, who reclassified into the recruiting class of 2018 and joined the Trojans this summer, has been pegged as Sam Darnold’s replacement since signing day in February.
For Fink and Sears, the spring provided an opportunity to create some distance in the competition. Unfortunately, neither took advantage. It would be a surprise if anyone other than Daniels started against UNLV on Sept. 1.
Nebraska
Tristan Gebbia (RS Fr.) and Adrian Martinez (Fr.) — There’s something meaningful about a new coach’s handpicked quarterback of the future — as is Martinez with Scott Frost. Based on his size, athleticism and potential, Martinez fits what Frost was looking for from the position in his debut recruiting class with the Cornhuskers.
But the staff knows what Gebbia can bring to the table. He’s not too big and doesn’t have Martinez’s wheels; being able to keep defenses honest is a crucial piece of the puzzle in Frost’s offense, and Martinez has the edge in that area. Gebbia is still a major player in this race and easily neck and neck with the true freshman, if not in front of the race heading into a key August stretch that will determine the starting job.
Texas
Shane Buechele (Jr.) and Sam Ehlinger (So.) — It’s the competition that never ends, featuring two pretty solid options in a continuous loop that, hopefully, should come to a close before the month’s end. What seems clear is that Ehlinger possesses the skill set Tom Herman wants from under center: Ehlinger can move in the pocket and bulldoze his way through tackles as a runner, even if his physical style of play doesn’t always seem conducive to completing an injury-free season. That neither has been able to stay healthy with the Longhorns is an obvious concern.
The best guess as to how this plays out? Ehlinger should be the guy, with Buechele ready in reserve or used in certain packages. Recent history suggests that both will be needed.
Florida State
James Blackman (So.) and Deondre Francois (Jr.) — Francois seemed destined for a multiple-year run as starter before suffering a season-ending injury in last year’s opener against Alabama. That opened the door for Blackman, who tossed 19 touchdown passes during the forgettable final season under Jimbo Fisher. Now, after an injury and a coaching change, Francoise is entrenched in a competition. It’s another thing for Willie Taggart to lose sleep over as he lines up FSU for a run at Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference.