Is there a QB Controversy at Alabama?

The conversation has already started around the Crimson Tide signal callers ahead of the 2024 season. Alabama completed its first practice of the Kalen DeBoer era, and fans already want to know, who will start game one?

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Jalen Milroe was the starting quarterback for most of last season, with one game against USF being the lone exception. Alabama won the SEC Championship and made an appearance in the College Football Playoff under Milroe, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy race last season.

For some reason, fans are still asking the question: Who will be Alabama's starting quarterback in 2024?

Kalen DeBoer talked about Alabama's quarterbacks after the first day of spring practice,

You want competition, right? So the competition's always going to be there. Yes, someone had to take the first reps with the ones when we lined up, and Jalen [Milroe] did. He's putting everything into it that he can, along with the other guys. I fully expect those guys who are really hungry to be pushing those ahead of them to be their best, and that's what you want in a football program. That's certainly going to be the case here with so many good football players here.

So DeBoer didn't say there was a quarterback competition, but he also didn't say there wasn't. It seems he will operate under the same message of "competing for your spot every season" as Coach Saban did.

He talked about that as well when discussing there being a 'clean slate' for the team in his first year,

I don't know if I really said it in those terms. You're gathering information every day. I'm getting to know them, and they're getting to know myself and the staff, so those first impressions are important for those guys as they are out there competing and making plays. The intensity was high, and I expect it to be that, as they have a kind of 'clean slate' and everyone starting from the same point.

If there is a quarterback battle, Jalen Milroe is a pretty good player fans want leading the charge. Behind Milroe last season were Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan, who both returned in 2024. Alabama also brought in Washington transfer Austin Mack to compete in that room.