🏈 Here's a very telling statement from Saban on Jacob Coker. (UPDATED with news out of FSU)

[bamaraider]

Hell yeah. Bring in Coker, let him play for one year. Then let Ricky Town run the show from there.

Dyn:a:sty!

 

[JoshB]

^^ Coker will have two years of eligibility.

 

[TerryP]

Hell yeah. Bring in Coker, let him play for one year. Then let Ricky Town run the show from there.

Dyn:a:sty!

The other day one of the guys mentioned how he thought we had too many QB's on the roster. I can't recall who it was other than it was one of our members here who's been here awhile.

It was my opinion five is an optimal number. But, I also added I felt we had too much of a long jam with guys in the same class—or within a year from each other.

The way this is shaping up it seems we're back "on track" with how I like to see the QB battle shaking out.

Hypothetical here:

Coker plays two years. Cornwell redshirts this year, giving him two years of eligibility left with Coker graduates. Town comes in and assuming Cornwall doesn't leave early would have a year of eligibility left when DC graduates.

That leaves us with five years of a good rotation (in terms of eligibility, barring injury) and we're back where we are today. We'll need to have a few guys pulled in each season that pan out.

---

We all love what Coach Mac brought to the program. However, I think it's a legitimate question to ask how good was he in evaluating quarterbacks.

It's certainly far too early to answer that question. For that matter, it's far too early—not to mention a HUGE assumption—to put Cornwell over Morris, Bateman, or McLeod.

Coker over these three guys? I don't see that as a huge assumption. While they'll have more experience within the Alabama system, the scheme he's been under at Florida State isn't that different.

 

[Rolltide24]

Good breakdown Terry. I think it will all work out. We've got several very talented guys. But I think Cornwell would have 3 years of eligibility after Comer leaves, if he redshirted in 2014 (Comer's first of only 2 years). So that could leave us in good shape for the next 5 years assuming he (Cornwell) pans out. I don't recall us ever losing a QB before they used up all their eligibility. Well, a starting QB that is, i.e. one going the the NFL early. But if we ever had one that good I don't think we'd have much to complain about. We've had RB's, WR's, O-linemen, D-linemen, DB's, LB's, safeties all leave for the League early but for the life of me I can't recall a QB on the list.

 

[planomateo]

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...-coker-alabama-cant-let-this-gem-escape-again

---

So Jacob Coker has been released from his scholarship at Florida State. The next question: Will he graduate in time to play the 2014 college football season at another school?

More specifically, how quickly Coker can get into an Alabama uniform?

Because if Nick Saban misses out on Coker again, this blip of a two-game losing streak by the Tide to finish the 2013 season may bleed into 2014. And beyond.

Look back at the legendary runs over the BCS era: Every one that thrived eventually fell apart because of the lack of an elite quarterback.

Miami (Fla.) was never the same once Ken Dorsey graduated and Brock Berlin moved in. Southern Cal never recaptured the magic once Matt Leinart left and John David Booty followed. Florida plummeted once Tim Tebow left and John Brantley took over.

Make no mistake, there were other factors in the demise of each of those programs, but all three were recruiting as well or better than any other school at the height of their success — but couldn't continue to play at the elite level without an elite quarterback.

Sean Maguire and John Franklin will compete to back up Jameis Winston.

This brings us back to Alabama, where despite the "game manager" narrative that has stuck to Saban quarterbacks, the Tide isn't winning three of the past five national titles without one guy currently on an NFL roster (Greg McElroy) and another potential first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft (AJ McCarron) leading the way.

When Saban says "game manager," he doesn't mean some flunky handing off and getting out of the way. It's the same definition used by NFL scouts: A game manager is a guy who can lead your team, and not flinch in third-and-make-a-play.

A guy who knows where to go with the ball and can make every throw; who knows what play to get into when he walks to the line of scrimmage and sees the current play call won't work against the specific defense. That's a game manager.

And Alabama couldn't be farther away from that with what it has on the current roster. To be blunt, there's no one on the Tide roster right now who can scare SEC defenses. There's potential (freshman David Cornwell; rising redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman) and there's a guy who has been in the system for four years (rising senior Blake Sims).

But there's nothing close to what Coker could bring. Earlier this year, Florida State cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was asked about the rise of Winston from redshirt to then-Heisman Trophy hopeful. Joyner said Winston was routinely giving the first-string defense fits as a scout team player.

Three days before the BCS National Championship Game, Joyner was asked about Coker — who nearly won the job over Winston in fall camp — and if he could tell what kind of player Coker could be from his practice habits.

"Somebody," Joyner said, smiling, "is going to get a hell of a quarterback with Jacob."

That somebody better be Saban. Or the Alabama dynasty that has been thriving since 2009 will take its first legitimate step back.

AL.com reported that Saban has already visited with Coker, and that Coker is on target to graduate in May. Four years ago, Saban let Coker — Mobile, Ala., native — get out of the state and sign with Florida State.

He can't let Coker get away this time around — the very future of his program may depend on it.

The Coker file
Coker, a redshirt sophomore, appeared in eight games last season, mostly mop-up duty. His season ended with a knee injury Nov. 9 against Wake Forest. He was 18-of-36 passing for 250 yards and an interception.

Coker's high school coach, Steve Mask, told AL.com that Alabama coach Nick Saban visited Coker on Tuesday. Coker and McCarron attended the same high school in Mobile.

Coker would have two seasons of eligibility for his next school.

A three-star prospect out of high school, Coker redshirted his freshman year and played sparingly in 2012.

"Jacob is a great athlete, 6-4, 6-5 and 230," FSU QB Jameis Winston told AL.com. "Jacob can go anywhere and start in any program."

 

[bamaraider]

^^ Coker will have two years of eligibility.

Ricky Town will destroy him as soon as he gets on campus.

 

[PhillyGirl]

It seems like everyone is sold on Coker coming and starting right away. I mean, I want whoever wins the spot and whoever Saban thinks is the best to start .. But everyone seems to think it is a lock for Coker this year.

 

[planomateo]

It seems like everyone is sold on Coker coming and starting right away. I mean, I want whoever wins the spot and whoever Saban thinks is the best to start .. But everyone seems to think it is a lock for Coker this year.

I'll be sold when he's the starter. What we know, there will be several guys competing for the job and one will be the QB at some point early in the season.

 

[252BAMA]

Scrimmage does nothing to clear up Seminoles quarterback race

Jimbo Fisher praises the play of candidates Jameis Winston and Jacob Coker


By Garry Smits Wed, Aug 21, 2013 @ 6:55 pm | updated Wed, Aug 21, 2013 @ 8:33 pm

Times-Union
Florida State quarterbacks Jameis Winston (5) and Jacob Coker are still locked in a tight battle to see who starts in the opening game Sept. 2 at Pittsburgh.


http://members.jacksonville.com/spo.../story/scrimmage-does-nothing-clear-seminoles

 

[planomateo]

And not to be forgotten, Coker has been at FSU for 3 years, so in theory he should have the leg up on most.

 

[TerryP]

Ricky Town will destroy him as soon as he gets on campus.

Here's hoping you forgot the sarcasm emoticon. :chat2_cheers:

It seems like everyone is sold on Coker coming and starting right away. I mean, I want whoever wins the spot and whoever Saban thinks is the best to start .. But everyone seems to think it is a lock for Coker this year.

I'll be sold when he's the starter. What we know, there will be several guys competing for the job and one will be the QB at some point early in the season.

[MENTION=13834]jdpas29[/MENTION] thinks we're going with a two-quarterback system in 2014. While I don't, I do think there's a good chance we see at least two play up until the UF game. It's my opinion that's the date we need to be settled on one guy.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Yeah, I mean, I would be happy no matter who gets the call, but everyone is so quick to assume it will 100% be him.

I am intrigued by what he has to offer, though. He's a big dude. I also love that he was AJ's backup in high school, is also from Mobile, and grew up a Crimson Tide fan :tickled_pink:

Plus, with Kiffin around, who knows how this is gonna shake down. Gonna be a really interesting position to watch over the next few seasons, that's for sure!

 

[ericd]

He currently has a University of Alabama email address.

 

[TerryP]

He currently has a University of Alabama email address.

According to whom?

 

[BamaFan334]

I think this would be a great catch for the program. He pushed Winston to the brink at Florida State, and it was a coin toss for Fisher, so that means the guy can get it done. I like the fact he has some game experience and has been around athletes, so it translates well for everyone involved. Him and Blake Sims would be a great change of pace for our offense. I think Sims can get it done, but we also have some great talent along with him. This derby is only beginning and should be pretty intruiging come A-Day and Summer Camp. Hope we can get this kid and just see where the chips fall. Roll Tide to it all.

 

[planomateo]

Coker's throws during spring game.

[video=youtube;GJsKNrahn3c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJsKNrahn3c[/video]

 

[TerryP]

^^ Pay attention to the touch on the back shoulder throws in that video.

 

[colbyjacks]

^^ Pay attention to the touch on the back shoulder throws in that video.

He did have some nice touch on some of those throws. What I took away from watching that spring footage was a strong armed JPW. It seemed he stuck with his first read most of the time and tried to fit it in. It looked like he did much better in this facet during the season.

 

[TerryP]

He did have some nice touch on some of those throws. What I took away from watching that spring footage was a strong armed JPW. It seemed he stuck with his first read most of the time and tried to fit it in. It looked like he did much better in this facet during the season.

I saw those throws as an area where he needed improvement. He'll need to develop some touch on those 12-20 yard routes.

 

[BamaFan334]

I saw what you said at first and I had to go back and look at the tape, because I saw something a lot different than the point I thought you were trying to make, then I scrolled and saw that you meant what I saw initially. He has great footwork and is able to be mobile in a positive manner, but his release needs to be a little higher in my opinion in order to create more visibility with the ball. It seemed like he was throwing a lot of lower balls due to his release. Anyways, I think he definitely has the skills someone like Kiffin can work with and that he has more talent to work with in our receivers and backs than he did at Florida State. They were good, but with a healthy Amari Cooper, Christion Jones, Robert Foster, OJ Howard, DeAndrew White and our new boys, we are busting at the seems with talent on the outside. Could get very exciting.