In early 2021, the football world was buzzing with excitement about the prospects of former Alabama quarterbacks. Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts, who once shared a quarterback room at Alabama, were all NFL starters, and many anticipated that Bryce Young, the future No. 1 overall pick, would soon join their ranks.
Under the guidance of legendary coach Nick Saban, Alabama had evolved from a conservative, run-heavy offense to one that prominently featured the quarterback. This transformation led to a surge of talented passers emerging from Tuscaloosa, seemingly setting the stage for a new era of Crimson Tide quarterbacks in the NFL.
However, as Week 3 of the current NFL season approaches, no Alabama quarterback who completed their college career with the Crimson Tide is expected to start.
Jalen Hurts, who finished his college career at Oklahoma, is the only former Alabama quarterback slated to start. Meanwhile, Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones, once heralded as potential franchise saviors, will all be sidelined.
The pattern of Alabama quarterbacks struggling in the NFL is beginning to mirror the fate of Oregon quarterbacks in the past. Just as Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, and Kellen Clemons, who all played under Mike Bellotti at Oregon, struggled to meet expectations in the NFL, Alabama’s quarterbacks seem to be facing similar challenges.
Tua Tagovailoa’s situation exemplifies bad luck more than any inherent flaws. His concussion issues have had a significant impact on his career, but even when healthy, questions persist about his ability to lead a team to a championship.
Despite being compared to legends like Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck during his college career, Tagovailoa’s performance has been solid yet unspectacular.
Mac Jones entered the NFL with a reputation for having a high floor but an unknown ceiling. He was regarded as pro-ready when drafted by the New England Patriots and expected to fit seamlessly into Bill Belichick’s system.
However, after a promising rookie season, Jones’ performance has deteriorated. The Patriots’ missteps in coaching and strategy during his second year contributed to his struggles, and despite a change in offensive coordinators, he failed to regain his form. Jones was eventually traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now serving as a backup.
Bryce Young, the most anticipated of the recent Alabama quarterbacks, has been the most disappointing so far. Drafted as the top pick in 2023, Young has struggled mightily with the Carolina Panthers. His performance has been marred by his lack of size, hesitation, and inaccuracy, particularly compared to C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick who has excelled. Young’s tenure has been rocky, with only two wins in 18 games and a meager average of 12 points per game in those victories.
Among this group, Jalen Hurts stands out as the most successful. Having finished his college career at Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley, Hurts has achieved a playoff victory in the NFL, demonstrating that Saban’s legacy of excellence does not necessarily require elite pro quarterbacks. Nevertheless, even Hurts has faced inconsistency, including a high number of interceptions last year and struggles towards the end of the season.
Looking ahead, the future of Alabama quarterbacks might shift with new coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm. Michael Penix, who played under DeBoer at Washington, could influence the next wave of Alabama quarterbacks. Jalen Milroe, a former Saban recruit, is an intriguing prospect. He possesses significant physical attributes and athleticism compared to his predecessors but has yet to secure a spot in the first round of mock drafts. Milroe could be Saban’s final hope for a quarterback who thrives at the professional level.
