Jordan Rodgers outlines expectations for 2-man QB battle at Alabama
By Paul Harvey
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Jordan Rodgers sat down with McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday to discuss a number of topics ahead of SEC Media Days. One of the major storylines ahead of the season continues to be the ongoing quarterback battle for Nick Saban’s program.
Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson began the offseason vying for the spot, but Alabama also dipped into the portal to add Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner. As the race progresses throughout the summer, Rodgers expects it to be a 2-man battle.
He particularly expects that battle to be between Simpson and Buchner:
I think it’s a 2-man race between Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner. I think you don’t bring in Buchner unless you believe this is the style of offense we need to run because of the talent we have around the quarterback, and I think they have a ton of talent… They have a ton of weapons, I think they need a guy who can just play point guard and distribute. Bryce (Young) was good at that, but he was also a superstar and could make the ‘wow’ throws.
As for those two players, Rodgers noted Simpson has a very high ceiling but is still in the process of developing. And while Buchner might be a bit limited in some facets of the game, Rodgers was pleasantly surprised by his off-platform short game when plays break down.
“Ty is developing. He’s got a really high ceiling,” explained Rodgers. “…When you dive into the film of Buchner from Notre Dame, I was actually pleasantly surprised with some of the off-platform short game… He’s not Bryce but I was surprised by his flexibility and his arm talent in that right.”
.@JRodgers11 of the @SECNetwork stopped by @macandcube to weigh in on @AlabamaFTBL’s ongoing QB battle as we get closer to fall camp.
Whole interview: https://t.co/MJIITGuJvh pic.twitter.com/mDb8YLcWsv
— WJOX 94.5 FM (@WJOX945) July 17, 2023
Alabama’s early outlook
Alabama will not have to wait long in the 2023 season to get a test for the starting QB, whoever that winds up being. After opening the season with Middle Tennessee, the Crimson Tide face Texas on Sept. 9 in a primetime game.
Alabama will also face Ole Miss and home and Mississippi State on the road in SEC play before getting out of September, so a lot will be learned about this team before we hit October.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
