Many people are ready for Alabama to name Tua Tagovailoa its starting quarterback for the 2018 season.

Not just yet, says one former Crimson Tide quarterback.

During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Wednesday, former Alabama QB Blake Sims came to the defense of junior quarterback Jalen Hurts as the ongoing competition between Hurts and Tagovailoa continues at Crimson Tide fall camp.

“What I’m not liking is people counting Jalen Hurts out already,” Sims told Finebaum. “Don’t count that man out like he hasn’t done anything to show that he’s committed to the team and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team”

Hurts has started every game for Alabama over the past two seasons, but he was benched in favor of Tagovailoa to begin the second half of last year’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Tagovailoa went on to lead Alabama to an overtime victory with a game-winning touchdown pass.

However, the hype has surrounded Tagovailoa during fall camp, with several reports and experts predicting that the sophomore will beat out Hurts for the starting job to open the season.

Tide coach Nick Saban hasn’t indicated which quarterback he is leaning toward starting, but he has noted that it’s not a problem to have two talented QBs on the team.

Sims started one season at quarterback for Alabama in 2014, when he led the team to the SEC championship. He recently signed to play for the Birmingham team in the new Alliance of American Football spring league.