Alabama QB battle starting to come into focus

When it comes to who will start at quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide this upcoming season, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum says this player has the momentum.

The Alabama Crimson Tide had Bryce Young as their starting quarterback for the previous two seasons, one in which he won the Heisman Trophy. But now, he is in the NFL as the likely starting quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, who selected him first overall. Now, Alabama fans are waiting to see who will fill his shoes.

Jalen Milroe was Young’s backup for the past two years and filled in when Young had a shoulder injury. Ty Simpson is a five-star recruit in the 2022 class. Then, the team picked up a transfer quarterback, Tyler Buchner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. With the regular-season beginning on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee, who will be the starting quarterback?

During an appearance on the “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum expressed his belief that Jalen Milroe has the momentum in the competition to be the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide at the beginning of the campaign.

Paul Finebaum feels Jalen Milroe has the momentum in the Alabama QB competition

“Not as much today as I would the day Buchner showed up from Notre Dame,” Finebaum said, h/t 247 Sports. “I just could not believe he was coming down to play with his former coach, even though his former coach turned on him without some wink and a nod. Now, it does seem that way (Milroe). It was a reporter that picked up some intel about Milroe working with wide receivers down in Tampa, which is smart by him, I give him credit.

“This is a really important time right now in June and I think at least based on what people that cover the team are saying, he seems to be coming back. But what you’re doing in Tampa in shorts is considerably different than what’s going to be happening on the field two months from now in Tuscaloosa.”

There was intrigue with Buchner arriving at Tuscaloosa, considering he was reuniting with his former offensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Last season, Buchner played just three games after suffering a high-grade shoulder sprain. In that limited frame of playing time, Buchner recorded 651 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 55.4 completion percentage.

As for Milroe, he got significant playing time in the middle of the season. Facing the Arkansas Razorbacks, Young left with a shoulder injury following a tackle. Milroe entered the game, completing four-of-nine pass attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown, while running for 91 yards and a touchdown on six carries in the 49-26 win. Milroe started in the following game against the Texas A&M Aggies, throwing for 111 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on 12-of-19 pass attempts, while picking up 81 yards on 17 carries in the 24-20 win.

There is still plenty of time remaining this offseason, but as of now, Finebaum thinks that Milroe has the momentum.

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