Ever since Jacob Coker officially transferred from Florida State to Alabama, it was assumed he would take over for AJ McCarron as the Tide’s starting quarterback.
Friday, that assumption was put to its first official test.
This morning, the Tide took to the practice field for the first time as Summer Camp 2014 commenced. One of the players with the most eyeballs on him was, of course, Coker.
Al.com has some video footage of the new QB on the block playing a serious game of long toss with some receivers that you can view by clicking HERE.
Coker was joined on the practice field by Blake Sims and Cooper Bateman, the other two pieces to what’s expected to be a three-man competition. None of the three has ever started a game at the collegiate level; because Coker, ahem, nearly beat out Jameis Winston for FSU’s starting job prior to the 2013 season, he’s viewed as the favorite.
Sims has spent last season as McCarron’s primary backup, with that familiarity leading some to believe he would have the edge. However, with new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin installing his scheme, any advantage for Sims on that front is largely negated.
So, just who will end up starting for the Tide? Allow Nick Saban to answer that question.
“We’re looking for the guy — success is defined by consistency in performance, alright,” the head coach said back in March. “So who can be the most consistent guy doing his job well at that position? Alright, now that’s a critical position because that guy distributes the ball to someone on every down, whether he hands it to them, throws it to them. The choices and decisions that they have to make goes a long way in how effective and efficient your offense runs.”
In other words, keep track of who makes the fewest mistakes in the weeks leading up to the opener, because that’s the one who’ll take the field first against West Virginia in the Georgia Dome.