With Alabama’s Spring Game, A-Day, quickly approaching, fans are eager to see how each of the Crimson Tide’s talented quarterbacks will perform. Although a rare occurrence at the quarterback position, Head Coach Nick Saban is no stranger to talented players having to battle it out for the starting position.

There has been endless speculation as to who will take the first snap on September 1, 2018, against the Louisville Cardinals, but let’s break each payer down before making any predictions for who will attempt to lead this team to their third National Championship in three years.

Starting with the seasoned starter, Jalen Hurts, many believe that he will be overshadowed by the star freshman in the upcoming season. However, Hurts offers many strengths to this upcoming younger class after the loss of many starters. Arguably one of the most athletic quarterbacks in college football right now, Hurts uses his speed and agility to get out of tough situations, but also as an asset to the offense.

His success in and out of conference (24-2 overall and 8-1 against SEC opponents) shows his talent, as well as his leadership on the field. His composure and calm demeanor reflect a well-coached and respectable athlete. Hurts often receive heat for his lack of consistency in the passing game, but his ability to rush the ball with great success is a factor that should never be ignored.

The Crimson Tide’s offense is one that has been built on the run game, and if a player is able to contribute to that aspect, regardless of the title of his position, he should be seen as a strong contender for the starting position.

On the other hand, Tua Tagovailoa took the spotlight in the 2018 National Championship game when he launched a nearly perfect touchdown pass to win the title. There are speculations that Tua may be unavailable for Saturday’s Spring Game due to recent set back in an injury to his throwing hand, but Saban has reported positively about Tua’s performances throughout the duration of spring practices.

The young quarterback was given very limited playing time in the 2017-18 season but showed great promise each time he stepped on the field. His demeanor reflects that of Hurts, being that he is very composed and professional when on the field.

His youth did a show in the National Championship game against the University of Georgia when he was quickly sacked for a huge loss, and ended up facing a third and twenty-six deficit. He prevailed, however, with one of the most memorable passes in Alabama’s history for the overtime win. This showed promise as well as maturity in such a young player, which leaves many people to believe he will take the starting spot.

It is obvious that no matter who Saban chooses to start in the fall, Alabama will be more than secure at the quarterback position. Each of these players has assets that can, and will, lead this team to great success. Having said that, I believe that we will see Hurts taking the snap this fall in Orlando. This is simply due to seniority and the undeniable success he has had under Saban.

Having Hurts at the starting position, knowing that Tua is a reliable option for relief at any time, allows for the most versatility at the quarterback position.