Alabama Football: Nick Saban not ready to name Jacob Coker starting QB yet
By Jack Crosby
It’s widely expected at this point that Florida State transfer Jacob Coker will be under center for the Alabama Crimson Tide come the first game of the season against the West Virginia Mountaineers. This was highlighted by the fact that the quarterback play in the spring game last month for Alabama was less than stellar, leaving many to just assume that Nick Saban knows the Alabama native is his guy.
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But of course, you didn’t expect Saban to admit that, did you? When talking to reporters on Tuesday, the legendary coach stated that he’s not ready to name Coker the starter at this time, mainly because he hasn’t seen him throw a pass live since he was recruiting him during his high school days.
While Saban won’t readily admit that Coker is the guy to lead the offensive charge, it’s going to take a lot to keep someone off the field who narrowly lost on in a QB competition last season to the eventual Heisman Trophy winner in Jameis Winston.
After playing the majority of last season in relief of Winston before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Coker, as everyone expected he would throughout most of that campaign, decided to transfer out from Florida State. Graduating this spring from the Tallahassee school means that Coker is eligible to see the field immediately in Tuscaloosa.
Well, once Saban sees him throw the ball in front of his very eyes, that is.