What Alabama, Auburn Can Learn from 2024 for QB Battles of 2025

The quarterback position in college football is often considered the most important on the field, and for programs like Alabama and Auburn, who have rich histories of success, the competition for the starting spot is particularly high stakes. As the 2024 season unfolds, both teams face pivotal decisions regarding their quarterback situations that will have lasting impacts on the future of their programs.

Looking ahead to 2025, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from the 2024 season. In this article, we’ll explore the challenges, opportunities, and strategies that both Alabama and Auburn can take from their 2024 quarterback battles, focusing on how each team can approach the position to set themselves up for success in 2025 and beyond.

The 2024 Quarterback Landscape for Alabama and Auburn

In 2024, both Alabama and Auburn entered the season with high expectations and questions surrounding their respective quarterback positions. Alabama, traditionally a quarterback factory under head coach Nick Saban, had struggled to find a consistent signal-caller post-Tua Tagovailoa. Auburn, under new head coach Hugh Freeze, was looking to build an offense capable of challenging the SEC’s best and needed a quarterback who could execute his vision.

For both programs, the 2024 season provided a chance to either solidify their quarterback situation for the future or enter into a more prolonged period of uncertainty. With both teams likely to face significant roster turnover after the season, the way their quarterback battles unfolded in 2024 was critical for their plans in 2025.

Lesson 1: The Importance of Long-Term Development

In college football, it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate results of a quarterback competition, but the best programs understand the importance of long-term development. This lesson is especially crucial for Alabama and Auburn, which are both looking to build sustainable success under their respective systems.

Nick Saban and Hugh Freeze are both known for their ability to develop quarterbacks over time. For Saban, the challenge in 2024 was finding a quarterback who could provide stability for the future. While the Crimson Tide have had talented quarterbacks like Bryce Young and Jalen Hurts, the 2024 competition was about finding a player who could both perform in the short term and grow into a leader for the 2025 season.

At Auburn, Freeze’s offense requires a quarterback who can execute both as a passer and a runner. The Tigers have struggled with consistency at quarterback in recent years, but Freeze’s reputation for developing quarterbacks, as seen with his work at Ole Miss, shows that the right coaching can turn a good player into a great one. In 2024, Auburn’s QB competition was centered around finding a signal-caller who could grow into a star by 2025, something that would pay huge dividends for the program.

For both teams, the takeaway is clear: patience and development are key. Both Alabama and Auburn will likely find themselves in similar quarterback battles in 2025, so cultivating young talent and allowing quarterbacks to mature within the system will be crucial.

Lesson 2: Embrace Competition, But Avoid Overcrowding

A common mistake in quarterback battles is creating too much competition or keeping too many quarterbacks in the fold. While competition can drive players to perform at their highest level, having too many options can dilute the focus and create confusion. Both Alabama and Auburn experienced their own forms of quarterback battles in 2024, and it’s clear that managing these situations carefully will be critical for both teams moving forward.

For Alabama, the 2024 season was marked by a highly competitive quarterback competition that ultimately resulted in an unsettled position early in the year. While Saban’s coaching staff would likely argue that competition breeds success, it’s possible that the uncertainty in the position may have hindered the offense’s consistency. For Alabama to build on the success of 2024 in 2025, the program should aim to solidify the starting quarterback role early in the season, providing stability for both the player and the offense. Having a clear leader at the helm allows the team to focus on developing chemistry and improving execution.

Similarly, Auburn’s quarterback battle in 2024 featured a blend of returning players and newcomers, all vying for the starting job under Freeze’s new system. While competition is healthy, Auburn will need to ensure that it doesn’t overcomplicate things by keeping too many quarterbacks in the mix. Freeze should work to identify his top option early in the 2024 season and give that player the opportunity to develop, while also maintaining a clear backup plan. By 2025, the Tigers should have a clear pecking order, with one quarterback firmly entrenched as the leader and a reliable backup prepared for any contingencies.

The lesson here is straightforward: competition should be encouraged, but teams need to avoid overcomplicating the situation by keeping too many quarterbacks involved. Establishing clarity in the depth chart will help both Alabama and Auburn focus their efforts on improving their offenses for the future.

Lesson 3: Adapt the System to the Quarterback’s Strengths

Both Alabama and Auburn have complex offensive systems that require quarterbacks to perform at a high level. However, as the 2024 season demonstrated, it’s essential for a coaching staff to adapt its system to the strengths of its quarterback rather than forcing a player to fit into a predetermined mold. This approach is particularly important when considering the different styles of quarterbacks that each team may have in the coming seasons.

For Alabama, the 2024 season showed that the program’s offensive scheme can work with multiple types of quarterbacks, but the key is making sure the system plays to their strengths. The Crimson Tide had a mix of quarterbacks with different skill sets, from dual-threat athletes to traditional pocket passers. In 2025, Alabama’s coaching staff will need to analyze the strengths of their potential starters and adjust the offense to optimize their playmaking abilities. For instance, if Alabama finds itself with a more mobile quarterback, the coaching staff might consider implementing more designed quarterback runs and rollouts, taking advantage of the quarterback’s ability to make plays with their legs.

Similarly, Auburn’s offensive system under Hugh Freeze is designed to be dynamic, blending both the passing and running games. However, Freeze will need to identify whether the future starting quarterback is more comfortable running the football or standing in the pocket as a traditional passer. Once that decision is made, Freeze should tailor the offensive playbook to fit the quarterback’s strengths, which will help reduce mistakes and improve overall execution. Auburn’s success in 2025 could depend largely on how well Freeze adapts his system to his quarterback’s style.

In short, both Alabama and Auburn should look to the 2024 season as a guide in adjusting their offensive systems to suit the skills of their quarterbacks. Whether it’s an emphasis on the run game or more traditional passing concepts, the flexibility of the coaching staff to tailor their systems to the quarterback’s strengths will be key to success in 2025.

Lesson 4: Don’t Underestimate the Mental Aspect

Quarterback play is as much about mental toughness and leadership as it is about physical ability. In 2024, both Alabama and Auburn had quarterbacks who displayed flashes of brilliance but also faced significant challenges. While athleticism and arm strength are important, the mental makeup of the quarterback is what often separates the good from the great.

For Alabama, the 2024 season underscored the importance of finding a quarterback who can manage the pressure of playing in one of college football’s most high-profile programs. Players like Bryce Young and Tua Tagovailoa were not only physically gifted but also had the mental fortitude to succeed in tough environments. As Alabama looks to 2025, they will need to evaluate the psychological resilience of their quarterbacks. The ability to perform under pressure, handle adversity, and be a leader in the locker room are all critical factors that will determine the success of the quarterback battle.

Similarly, at Auburn, mental toughness will be key in 2025. Freeze’s system demands a quarterback who can execute under pressure and stay composed when things aren’t going well. Whether it’s dealing with an early-season loss or managing the expectations of a passionate fanbase, the mental side of quarterback play should not be overlooked. Auburn’s success will rely on having a quarterback who can stay calm under pressure and make good decisions when the stakes are highest.

Both Alabama and Auburn should prioritize evaluating quarterbacks not just based on their physical talents but also their ability to handle the mental and emotional challenges that come with playing the most scrutinized position on the field.