Nick Saban reminds everyone that Blake Sims is also competing for Alabama's starting QB
Nick Saban has no plans to announce a starting quarterback any time soon, but he wants to make sure media and fans aren’t discounting senior Blake Sims as a viable option for starter.
"No one ever seems to ask about Blake Sims," Saban said in response to a question about Florida State transfer Jacob Coker. "But he has done extremely well so far in camp as well."
Coker, who transferred to Alabama from Florida State this fall, has garnered most of the attention because he competed with Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston last fall camp. While Coker didn’t get a lot of reps last season, he received high praise from Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. Combine that with Sims’ mediocre performance in Alabama spring game and many fans declared Coker the Tide’s next quarterbacking savior.
"I don't think he gets the credit he deserves," center Ryan Kelly told al.com. "He's been a great competitor since he's been here. I don't think the spring game really did him justice for how well he played in the spring.
"He's kind of stepped into a leadership role that nobody really asked him to do but that's the kind of guy he is. He's had a great offseason and he's even brought it to camp."
Redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman, sophomore Alec Morris and freshman David Cornwell all have joined Sims and Coker in the quarterbacking competition, but it’s clear the starting role is a two-man race.
How that race will finish is anyone’s guess, but Saban’s comments suggest that the favorite of the masses might not be his favorite.
For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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