📝 Bama going after grad transfer QB?

[TUSKtimes]

For the first time, I'm starting to get a feeling we are losing a QB.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

For the first time, I'm starting to get a feeling we are losing a QB.

It's a sinking feeling.

 

[crimsoncorner]

For the first time, I'm starting to get a feeling we are losing a QB.

Lot of RUMORS out there that Jalen is heading back to TX. None can be substantiated as of yet.

 

[OldPlayer]

Lot of RUMORS out there that Jalen is heading back to TX. None can be substantiated as of yet.

Rumors are called that for a reason. Only the fans have said that Tua is the starting QB.

 

[crimsoncorner]

Rumors are called that for a reason. Only the fans have said that Tua is the starting QB.

And numerous former players... Greg McElroy, AJ McCarron, Will Lowery, Jay Barker, and Mike Johnson on various radio shows.

 

[OldPlayer]

And numerous former players... Greg McElroy, AJ McCarron, Will Lowery, Jay Barker, and Mike Johnson on various radio shows.

Last I checked, none of them are in a position to make that decision. Has something changed?

 

[crimsoncorner]

Last I checked, none of them are in a position to make that decision. Has something changed?

Last I checked 4 of them played for Saban and 2 played the QB position and would know the mindset. Has that changed?

 

[planomateo]

Honestly, I wish these guys would not speak to things like this. Speak about it all you want after it's announced, but talking about it when it's rumor does nothing productive.

 

[OldPlayer]

Last I checked 4 of them played for Saban and 2 played the QB position and would know the mindset. Has that changed?

Who makes the decision? What input does he use to make that decision? How many of the people you mentioned were around/near Saban when he made a similar decision? The people you mentioned are not included in the answer to any of those questions.

The way I see it, the QB position is in play for Spring practice. After that, we'll see.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I think it's tough to expect that no one will talk about potential starters for the next season. The way Najee finished the game, he has to have a leg up on Josh for number two, at least. QB's aren't sacred.

 

[EtheBamaFanatic]

I think it's tough to expect that no one will talk about potential starters for the next season. The way Najee finished the game, he has to have a leg up on Josh for number two, at least. QB's aren't sacred.

Najee will definitely be a beast this year!!!

 

[JoshB]

Last I checked 4 of them played for Saban and 2 played the QB position and would know the mindset. Has that changed?

So, by that genius logic Bernie Kosar can tell us how for a fact who the next shitty Browns QB will be?

 

[It Takes Eleven]

So, by that genius logic Bernie Kosar can tell us how for a fact who the next shitty Browns QB will be?

Perhaps, if he's keeping up with it. The idea that McElroy and Barker, in their current lines of work, shouldn't express a view isn't reasonable.

 

[JoshB]

Perhaps, if he's keeping up with it. The idea that McElroy and Barker, in their current lines of work, shouldn't express a view isn't reasonable.

Wait... what? Who said that? Literally no one. OldPlayer said rumors that Jalen is leaving and who is/isnt the starter are just rumors. CC said because guys like McElroy and Barker agreed with that assertion it somehow made it a fact.

 

[Tidestalker]

This transfer wouldn't make sense if there wasn't at least a concern of losing a QB... Like I said, Mac Jones may be one of them. Obviously smart money would be on the guy who clearly got out played in the Natl Title game to the New Hero on the block... But we shall see.

I'm sure they all want to see how the Spring goes. If Jalen and Tua stayed, Mac would be smart to hit the road. Personally I see Saban playin gboth dudes next year in every game, but the amount of snaps may not be good enough for 1 or either.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Alabama on the verge of adding 'gritty,' 'competitive' graduate transfer QB
Alabama on the verge of adding 'gritty,' 'competitive' graduate transfer QB | BamaInsider.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban alluded to a possible addition at the quarterback position during National Signing Day last week. Now it appears the Alabama head coach has his man.

According to multiple reports, Alabama is close to adding Eastern Carolina graduate transfer Gardner Minshew. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound quarterback played in 10 games last season, passing for 2,140 yards and 16 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He threw for more than 350 yards in three of his final four games, recording 1,486 yards and 10 touchdowns to go with five interceptions over that span.

Gardner, who plans on visiting Tuscaloosa soon, told BamaInsider om Monday that he is not taking interviews until after his visit. However, he recently told SEC Country “Alabama 100 percent leads” for his commitment.

Those who know Minshew best realize just how much of an addition that would be for the Crimson Tide.

Two words pop into Jack Wright’s mind when thinking about his former quarterback.

“He’s probably the most gritty and competitive person I’ve ever been around,” Wright said of Minshew. “He will do whatever it takes to win a football game. He’ll break whatever limit, he’ll study whatever film, he’ll take pride in out-preparing everybody. He’s like a coach on the field. Just any of the intangible things it takes to win a football game, he’s got that mastered.”

Wright should know.

Currently the head coach of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, he coached Minshew at Northwest Mississippi Community College during the Rangers’ national championship season in 2015. During that year, Minshew led NMCC to an 11-1 record, completing 60.8 of his passes for 3,288 yards and 28 touchdowns with five interceptions. He earned the Mississippi Bowl Player of the Year award after completing 23 of 30 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns during a 66-13 win over No. 2 Rochester in the national championship game.

“I think the thing that really sticks out to me is his lack of mistakes,” Wright said. “You look at the whole year he threw five interceptions. Really only two of those can the be blame be placed on him. Three of those were times when it bounced out of a receiver’s hands or somebody ran the wrong route. I can rememberer every interception that kid threw that year and only two of them had anything to do with him… he’s the most flawless quarterback I’ve seen when it comes to decision making.”

Wright compared Minshew to former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, calling him a true pro-style quarterback. The head coach believes Minshew’s best quality is his efficiency calling games but said the quarterback also has an “unquestionably great arm” and can make any throw on the field.

Despite his talents, if Minshew decides to join the Crimson Tide he will enter an already crowded quarterback situation.

Alabama already has rising junior Jalen Hurts, who earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and has led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championship appearances. Alabama also returns rising sophomore Tua Tagovailoa, who earned offensive MVP honors during the national championship game, completing 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns including the game-winning 41-yard bomb to DeVonta Smith. Minshew would also need to beat former four-star quarterback Mac Jones, who redshirted his first year on campus last season. The graduate transfer would have two years remaining to play one year of eligibility

Wright said he’s yet to talk to Minshew about the possibility of playing at Alabama but warned not to write him off if he does choose the Crimson Tide. The head coach means no disrespect to the other quarterbacks on Alabama’s roster but chuckled to himself at the preconceived notion of Minshew coming on as a glorified backup.

That’s just not the quarterback he knows.

"He's not coming to backup," Wright said. "I'm telling you this kid is the most competitive person on the planet. He's going to do whatever it takes to win that spot. He'll stay up there 19 hours a day studying film if that what it takes."

Regardless of his role on the team next season, Minshew would add extra veteran leadership to Alabama’s quarterback room next season. Wright called Minshew one of the hardest-working players he’s ever coached and said that relentless work ethic was often passed down to teammates during practices.

“It’s his approach every day and every week to each test,” Wright said. “There’s just several times when I look back at how demanding he was of receivers at practice to get better at a route. He was demanding of the offensive line that they get communication down. It’s just his refusal to not be the best.”

Saban’s type of quarterback indeed.

 

[kbama15]

I would think Jones, just don't see Jalen being that way, especially the way he carries himself. To me he's a Team first guy. Jones is probably still in the Sabans dog house after the arrest anyway. See Jones leaving, not Jalen.

 

[EasyTider]

Here's another angle. Let's assume nobody is transferring and that instead Jalen has asked to cross train with another position group in the event he is not QB1 in 2018. With any possible transfer not available for spring, I think Jalen will stay at QB and battle for the job. Who knows, if he beats the odds and the doubts of all of the NFL experts and QB gurus on this board and makes big strides in the passing game or maybe Tua proves to be too much a gunslinger for Saban's way, Jalen remains our QB. (Personally I don't believe any of what I just typed. Tua is the guy if healthy).

Now to my point/angle....assuming Jalen decides he is more interested in playing in the NFL than playing QB on a smaller stage for 2 more seasons, we need a capable backup if Tua were to go down. His game is not as run heavy as Jalen but he does scramble , does run some RPO plays and thus will be more susceptible to taking some shots. If Jalen has made the transition to another position, he can't be expected to simply put on his QB hat and not miss a beat. Sure, he could be incorporated in with some RPO package plays but we need a full time QB2. From what I've read, the kid looking to transfer seems to be the better bet (at least until Jones actually plays in a college game and we can see what he can do).

 

[It Takes Eleven]

And numerous former players... Greg McElroy, AJ McCarron, Will Lowery, Jay Barker, and Mike Johnson on various radio shows.

Honestly, I wish these guys would not speak to things like this. Speak about it all you want after it's announced, but talking about it when it's rumor does nothing productive.

Wait... what? Who said that? Literally no one. OldPlayer said rumors that Jalen is leaving and who is/isnt the starter are just rumors. CC said because guys like McElroy and Barker agreed with that assertion it somehow made it a fact.

No, someone mentioned that the only people talking about it were just fans. CC noted that former players were also talking about it on talk radio, not that they were the decision makers. Plano wished they wouldn't talk about it, and I said it's hard to keep folks from speculating about next year's starters. No one said that getting air time made it a fact.

RTR,

Tim

 

[planomateo]

Saban has provided a blueprint for how this will play out. I'm looking forward to a long QB competition.