🏈 Kiffin thinks Tua will play in '17--compares him to Steve Young

[planomateo]

 

[Max]

Lane Kiffin remains the gift that keeps on giving in terms of being a thorn in Nick Saban’s side.

The Florida Atlantic head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator gave an interview to Tide 102.9 FM ESPN in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday and it appears Kiffin did not hold back when asked if hotshot freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would see action in 2017 alongside presumed starter Jalen Hurts.

“I would sure think so,” Kiffin said, according to SEC Country. “I mean you guys saw him at spring game. He’s a special talent. And coach Saban will figure out the best way to do it obviously, whether they both play.”

A former five-star recruit who enrolled early, Tagovailoa was a bit of a revelation this spring for the Tide and looked very impressive during the team’s annual A-Day game last month. Kiffin seemed to doubt that he would fully supplant Hurts as the starter after the now-sophomore led the team to the title game last season but it seems the young backup will be too talented to keep off the field for the Tide according to the man who recruited him to Tuscaloosa.

“Best comparison I think would probably be, watching him in high school, probably Steve Young,” added Kiffin about Tagovailoa. “A kind of smooth release like that. Not super fast, but really quick feet and a really quick release.”

We doubt Saban is super happy to hear his offensive coordinator is already planting the seeds for Tagovailoa to play in 2017 but sorting out playing time between a pair of top-notch young signal-callers seems to be a problem that is unique for the game’s best coach down in Alabama.

Lane Kiffin thinks Tua Tagovailoa plays in 2017 for Alabama, compares him to Steve Young

 

[PhillyGirl]

Well, if that makes Jalen Joe Montana, can we expect 7 rings between them while at Bama?

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Works for me!

 

[alabamajack]

If there are real fans of Florida atlantic, I want to know why lane is talking more about his former team and barely mentioning his current team

 

[Tidestalker]

I think he's onto something... Kid has some undeniable talent. More importantly, our starting QB loves to take off running. 2 QB's will be needed next year, glad Tua is in the mix.

 

[bama alum]

If there are real fans of Florida atlantic, I want to know why lane is talking more about his former team and barely mentioning his current team

Exactly. Turn the other cheek and all...But when both cheeks are black and blue...Are you too numb to be insulted by Kiffin's social media content?

And now... To heap fuel on the fire...

Nick Saban on Jalen Hurts: ‘I’m not saying he can’t be beat out’


ALABAMA

Nick Saban on Jalen Hurts: 'I'm not saying he can't be beat out'
MICHAEL WAYNE BRATTON | 22 HOURS AGO
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban opened up the spring in Tuscaloosa by stating that one of the goals of the spring was to become a better passing offense. That came on the heels of the poor finish to the season experienced by starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. After several strong performances this spring by true freshman and early enrollee Tua Tagovailoa, some are wondering if there’s an ongoing quarterback competition in Tuscaloosa.

While it’s a stretch to think Alabama would consider benching the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year with an opening date in Atlanta against likely Top 5 preseason team Florida State Sept. 2, Saban didn’t exactly do his best to temper those flames.

In an interview with Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, Saban claimed Hurts could be beat out, just like any player on his roster.

“I’ve never said anything about it being a quarterback battle. I’m not going to say anything about it being a quarterback battle now.

“We have a quarterback who played really well and was SEC Player of the Year last year. I’m not saying he can’t be beat out. I’m not saying the players here have an opportunity to beat him out. But that’s the case at every position.”

It’s hard to make a declaration based solely on those comments. This could turn out to be Saban simply motivating every player on his team and not even necessarily directing it at Hurts. Based on the initial performances of Tagovailoa this spring, he’ll find a way to get on the field in some capacity sooner rather than later. Likely in a reserve role behind Hurts, the team will have snaps to go around early with Fresno State, Colorado State and Vanderbilt on the schedule in the first month of the season.

However the Alabama quarterback depth chart plays itself out by the time the season arrives, the Crimson Tide have to like the massive talent on the roster at the game’s most important position more now than at any other time under Saban.

 

[OldPlayer]

We have three scholarship QBs on the roster and two of them are early-enrolled freshmen. Yes, Tua will see some playing time this year. The only way he starts a game will be if Hurts is injured.

 

[TerryP]

I want to know why lane is talking more about his former team

Exactly. Turn the other cheek and all.

The story runs along the lines of Ryan talking about how badly Jalen did one day, he jumped on a Tua train, and he's been riding it heavily since. I've no clue if that's accurate. I've just seen the wakes of whatever he's stirring. Lane was called, asked to be on, and then asked the question.

He's still riding Bama's teat when it comes to keeping his name in the news--been pointing to that.

 

[BamaFan334]

Can't blame him for doing what he can to stay in the news. No such thing as bad press. Him getting his name out there shows his school's name and logo, further creating interest. Mentioning Alabama gets ears to listen, so he technically is garnering attention.

And glad Saban is saying what he said, because it holds up to his words in the past about the best player playing, whether he means it or not. Do not want to discourage competition or the psyche of a young guy simply making him think he's not working towards anything and that his year is basically lost.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

The story runs along the lines of Ryan talking about how badly Jalen did one day, he jumped on a Tua train, and he's been riding it heavily since. I've no clue if that's accurate. I've just seen the wakes of whatever he's stirring. Lane was called, asked to be on, and then asked the question.

He's still riding Bama's teat when it comes to keeping his name in the news--been pointing to that.

Yeah, I used to listen to his show religiously till that happened.

 

[TerryP]

Yeah, I used to listen to his show religiously till that happened.

Then you know more about why 102 is running with this than I.