Alabama Crimson Tide 2021 Fall Football Preview: Quarterbacks

Alabama will have many exciting position battles as fall camp continues, but quarterback is not one of them. Barring something totally unforeseen, Bryce Young will be your starter when Alabama opens up in Atlanta on September 4.

The Departed

#10 Mac Jones

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What more can be said about Mac? Besides putting up Heisman worthy numbers in his fourth season on campus, he will always be a fan favorite for having the intestinal fortitude to come to campus in the same class as Tua Tagovailoa and work for three years to earn his shot. To a man, Mac’s teammates lauded his leadership on and off the field. His shoes won’t be easy to fill, but if anyone can do it, perhaps it’s the #1 ranked QB prospect from the 2020 class.

The Starter

#9 Bryce Young, sophomore

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Unlike Mac, Bryce didn’t have an opportunity to sit and watch for multiple seasons. He is going to be thrown into the fire as a true sophomore, further complicated by the fact that a dearth of cupcake games saw him throw all of 22 passes as Jones’ understudy last season. What we know about Bryce is that he is small, quick and fast. He has a lightning quick release, and a strong and accurate arm. His high school coach raved about his football IQ and his leadership.

Young wasn’t the #1 QB and #2 overall prospect in his class by accident. Still, while the supporting cast will be strong, many players on offense will be in new or more prominent roles. If Alabama is to have the season that they hope to have, Bryce will have to take the reins and lead this offense through the transition.

The Backup

#17 Paul Tyson, redshirt sophomore

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Bear’s great grandson is clearly the backup going into the season, and by all accounts continues to look solid if not spectacular. Still, he’s a bit of an odd fit sandwiched between legitimate dual threats in Young and Jalen Milroe. Tyson is more in the mold of Jacob Coker, a 6’5” 228 lb. gunslinger with a massive arm. He will be the first in rotation to take mop-up snaps this season, but if Young were to go down for an extended period, I’m not sure that he would be the guy.

The Newcomer

#15 Jalen Milroe, freshman

Milroe came in somewhat raw, but his arm and athleticism have reportedly blown some folks away. He looks nothing like an 18 year old at a well built 6’2” and 212 lb. While he isn’t a threat to challenge Young this season, I have to wonder if the staff will use him some in short yardage, similar to the way Florida used Tim Tebow in his freshman year. In any case, there is quite a buzz around Jalen and he is likely to be heard from before he leaves Tuscaloosa.

The Others

Alabama fills out the depth chart with two walk-ons. Braxton Barker, son of Jay, is in his fourth season on campus, and Stone Hollenbach out of Pennsylvania in his third. Needless to say, if either of these guys has to play, something has gone horribly wrong.

Depth Chart

Bryce Young

Paul Tyson

Jalen Milroe

Braxton Barker

Stone Hollenbach