Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has an unbreakable grip on the starting job for the 2013 season. (AP photo)
Today: Quarterbacks
Tomorrow: Running backs
Saturday: Wide receivers
Sunday: Tight ends/H-Backs
Monday: Offensive Line
Tuesday: Defensive Line
Wednesday: Linebackers/Pro Day
March 14: Cornerbacks
March 15: Safeties
March 16: Opening day of spring practice
Anything dealing with the Crimson Tide’s quarterback situation has to start with AJ McCarron: you know, the one that has quarterbacked Alabama to two straight national championships in as many seasons as the starting quarterback and is dating a model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, sometimes wearing his jersey.
McCarron, who did a great interview with Dan Patrick on coming back for his senior season, comes back to the Tide after a 2,933-yard season with 30 touchdowns and only three interceptions on 211-314 passing. McCarron, who was once called the most underrated quarterback in the country, will not enter the spring that way, as he stands in a three-way battle with Georgia’s Aaron Murray and Texas A&M’s Johny Manziel for the Southeastern Conference’s best quarterback.
Behind McCarron is where spring football could answer many questions. Alabama has six quarterbacks outside of McCarron, five of them on scholarship, that are vying for just two depth chart spots.
Phillip Ely and Blake Sims are the only other players to attempt a pass for the Tide other than McCarron during the 2012 season. Sims was 5-10 for 77 yards, but also brought a dual-threat look when he was entered, shown by his 70 rushing yards on eight carries against Western Carolina. Ely, who reportedly considered transferring, threw one touchdown pass on 3-4 passing for 42 yards.
Alabama also has Alec Morris, who redshirted last season and will now come in as a redshirt freshman. Morris will be one of three freshmen on scholarship at the quarterback position, joined by new recruits Cooper Bateman and Parker McLeod. Bateman and McLeod stepping willingly into such fierce competition was featured more in-depth here.
The Crimson Tide will also have a welcomed walk-on, Luke Del Rio. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because he is the son of former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and current defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos Jack Del Rio. Luke turned down scholarships from schools such as Oklahoma State to walk-on at Alabama.
Breakdown: Six players vying for three depth chart spots. One redshirt senior (McCarron), one redshirt junior (Sims), one redshirt sophomore (Ely), one redshirt freshman (Morris) and three true freshmen (Bateman, McLeod, Del Rio).
Prediction: McCarron will be the assumed starter and will not lose that position to anything but an injury. Behind McCarron will either be Ely or Morris, as Sims could turn into a spot man used for added offensive versatility. While Bateman and McLeod seem set for redshirt seasons in 2013, the lack of a promising future for playing time will surely push one to transfer away.
