Casagrande: What Alabama, Auburn Can Learn from 2024 for QB Battles of 2025
The quarterback position in college football is often referred to as the most important on the field. Whether it’s orchestrating the offense, leading the team through high-pressure situations, or simply managing the game, the quarterback can make or break a season. In the SEC, a conference already known for its fierce competition, the battle for the starting quarterback role is especially important. As the 2024 season unfolds, both Alabama and Auburn face significant questions surrounding their quarterback situations, and these decisions will impact their performances in the coming years.
For both programs, the 2024 season presents an opportunity to try out different quarterbacks, evaluate their potential, and lay the foundation for a successful 2025 season. With high expectations for both Alabama and Auburn football programs, the quarterback position will be under the microscope, as it has been for many years in the SEC. What can these two programs learn from the 2024 season to set themselves up for success in 2025? Here, we’ll break down the current quarterback situation for both teams, the importance of competition in the process, and the lessons they should take away from 2024 to guide them through the pivotal 2025 season.
Alabama’s Quarterback Situation: The Nick Saban Approach
Alabama enters 2024 with a quarterback battle that carries a significant amount of weight. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has been the gold standard in college football, consistently competing for national championships. However, the Crimson Tide has seen a degree of instability at the quarterback position since the departure of stars like Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. Despite recruiting highly talented quarterbacks like Bryce Young, Alabama’s quarterback position has remained in flux at times in recent seasons. In 2024, the program is faced with a similar dilemma.
The battle for the starting quarterback job at Alabama will likely come down to a few highly talented quarterbacks who have big shoes to fill. After Young’s departure to the NFL, the Tide will turn to new faces to lead the offense. The candidates are expected to include a mix of highly-ranked recruits, like Ty Simpson, and transfers like Jalen Milroe, who has experience in the program. The question remains: who will step up to take over the role and guide Alabama back to prominence?
The key lesson from 2024 for Alabama will be maintaining a sense of stability and patience in the process. Saban is known for his ability to manage quarterback battles in a way that builds depth across the roster. Alabama’s recent struggles in finding consistency at the quarterback position offer a valuable opportunity for the program to experiment with different candidates, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and ensure that the 2025 starter is the best fit for the team.
Here are a few things Alabama should learn from 2024 for the 2025 quarterback battle:
- Be Patient with Development: Sometimes, it’s easy to rush a quarterback into a starting role, but Saban has built a program that values long-term development. Whether it’s a freshman, a transfer, or a seasoned veteran, Saban understands the importance of giving quarterbacks the tools they need to succeed in the long term. In 2024, Alabama should make sure they don’t rush the development process. The team’s success in 2025 will depend heavily on a quarterback who has had the time to grow and refine their skills, rather than simply being the best option available at the moment.
- Embrace Competition: One thing that has been a hallmark of Alabama’s program under Saban is competition. Every position, including quarterback, should be fiercely contested throughout the offseason. Whether it’s during spring practice or leading up to fall camp, competition breeds improvement. Saban has always embraced this philosophy and should continue to do so in 2024, allowing all of his quarterbacks a fair opportunity to earn the starting job.
- Build Around the Quarterback’s Strengths: The quarterback position at Alabama has been home to many different types of players, from dual-threat quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa to more traditional pocket passers like Mac Jones. The lesson for Alabama in 2024 is to focus on building an offense that plays to the strengths of whichever quarterback emerges as the starter. This approach allows the quarterback to succeed in the system, which, in turn, makes the entire offense more potent.
- Utilize Experience in Big Games: While Alabama has a roster full of young talent, including some promising quarterbacks, the experience of playing in big games cannot be overstated. The Tide’s 2024 quarterback will need to be prepared for the spotlight. The lesson for Alabama here is to be strategic in how they handle the quarterbacks, giving them opportunities to gain valuable in-game experience early in the season. By the time 2025 rolls around, the starting quarterback should be well-prepared to lead Alabama back to national contention.
Auburn’s Quarterback Situation: The Need for Consistency
On the other side of the state, Auburn’s quarterback situation is just as important but differs in nature. The Tigers have been in search of consistency at the quarterback position for several years, and 2024 could be the year that they finally find their answer. Auburn has had its share of quarterback struggles, with numerous injuries, transfers, and underwhelming performances from previous starters.
As the 2024 season looms, Auburn has several candidates competing for the starting role, but no clear frontrunner has emerged. The program has yet to find a quarterback who can reliably lead the offense with consistency, which is critical for success in the SEC. With head coach Hugh Freeze now in charge, Auburn is in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and the quarterback position is key to their future success.
Auburn will face its own set of challenges in evaluating quarterbacks, and the lessons the Tigers can take away from 2024 are similar in some ways to those of Alabama. However, the situation is more dire for Auburn, which needs to find someone who can lead them back to respectability after a disappointing period. Here are a few lessons Auburn can learn from 2024 for the 2025 quarterback battle:
- Establish a Starter Early: Unlike Alabama, which can afford to experiment with quarterbacks for a year, Auburn’s program needs stability. The Tigers need a starting quarterback who will guide them throughout the season and build chemistry with the offense. A season of quarterback uncertainty could derail the team’s chances of competing in a tough SEC. For Auburn, the lesson is clear: they need to identify their starter early in 2024 and give that player the opportunities to develop chemistry with the team.
- Build a Balanced Offense: Auburn’s offensive struggles in recent years have often been linked to inconsistent quarterback play. The lesson here is to build a more balanced offense around the quarterback, rather than relying solely on the passing game or the running game. Freeze’s offensive scheme is built to utilize the quarterback’s strengths, and it will be important for him to ensure that whoever wins the starting job is put in the best position to succeed. By focusing on a balanced approach and leaning on the run game while opening up the pass game, Auburn can set their quarterback up for success.
- Consistency Over Flash: For Auburn, it’s crucial not to get too caught up in flashy plays or highlight-reel performances. The quarterback should not be expected to be a superstar out of the gate but should be able to execute the offense efficiently and consistently. For the Tigers, developing a quarterback who can manage the game and make smart decisions under pressure will be more important than finding someone with overwhelming physical talent. Auburn needs a quarterback who won’t make costly mistakes, something that has plagued their offense in the past.
- Develop Depth for the Future: While Auburn may prioritize finding their starting quarterback for 2024, it’s important to think about the future as well. Freeze will want to bring in recruits and develop quarterbacks who can lead the program for multiple seasons. By fostering depth and providing younger quarterbacks with opportunities, Auburn can ensure a more stable future at the position.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for 2025
As both Alabama and Auburn enter the 2024 season, the quarterback battles will play a significant role in shaping the future of both programs. The lessons they learn this season will lay the groundwork for 2025, where the stakes will be even higher.
For Alabama, the key will be to continue developing quarterbacks through competition, giving them time to grow, and building an offense that complements their strengths. For Auburn, the focus will be on finding consistency, establishing a starting quarterback early, and building an offense that balances both the running and passing games.
In 2025, both programs will need their quarterbacks to step up and lead them into one of the most competitive college football environments in the country. By learning from their experiences in 2024, Alabama and Auburn can set themselves up for a successful and productive future at the quarterback position. Whether they emerge as national contenders or SEC powerhouses, their quarterback decisions in 2024 will be the key to unlocking success in 2025.
