During Alabama’s spring game, incoming freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dazzled the crowd and the nation.
The 6-foot-1 signal caller from Honolulu went 17-of-29 for 313 yards and three touchdowns, mostly against the second string defense. However, that performance made people wonder, "Will there be a quarterback battle this offseason for the Crimson Tide?"
Alabama fans and college football junkies received the answer during SEC Media Days but on Wednesday, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban appeared on ESPN’s First Take and reiterated that statement.
"Tua is a very, very good player. We’re glad to have him in the program, and he’s someone who needs to play some," Saban said on First Take. "Now, I’m not creating a quarterback controversy here because Jalen Hurts is our starting quarterback."
Feel like you just can't keep @Tuaamann_ off the field for too long. Will have to be the guy very soon in 2017. #RollTide pic.twitter.com/KJJZsvcyOG
— Next Level (@NxtLevelAtx) July 13, 2017
Hurts threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns, while running for 954 yards and 13 scores in his first season in Tuscaloosa. Not only did he put up phenomenal statistics as freshman, but he led the Crimson Tide to the national championship as well. However, in the championship game against the Clemson Tigers, Hurts struggled as he only completed 13 of his 31 passes for 131 yards.
If Hurts does struggle throughout the 2017, Tagovailoa has the ability to create a full blown quarterback controversy.
While Saban isn’t creating questions surrounding the starting signal caller position, it could be interesting to see how he and his staff handles playing Hurts and Tagovailoa throughout the year.