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The common perception for most of the offseason is Alabama would hand the quarterback reins over to Cooper Bateman.
While it seems likely Bateman will earn the start, and admittedly it is still just a guess at this point, here’s a case for why Blake Barnett should earn the starting job by the end of the season.
Traditionally, Alabama relies on game manager types of quarterbacks: see Greg McElroy and Jake Coker. Nick Saban recently told reporters he’s looking for the quarterback who doesn’t necessarily win games but does everything possible not to lose a game. Taken in the wrong context, his message might be easily confused. However, Saban was specifically talking about finding a quarterback who doesn’t create turnovers.
Whether or not Bateman starts the game, Alabama coaches continue to state both quarterbacks will play in the game. This means Barnett just needs to look solid when he has a chance to play. Barnett is a mobile quarterback with excellent arm strength, a five-star recruit coming out of high school. In fact, he’s the most highly decorated quarterback Alabama has recruited during the Saban era.
A few statements by Saban should be encouraging for fans of Barnett. Repeatedly, Saban tells reporters he narrowed down the quarterback field in order to prepare for the USC game, as well as in order to groom quarterbacks for the future. The redshirt freshman Barnett is the face of the future, not the junior Bateman.
Saban has long talked about his intrigue with having a dual-threat quarterback. In 2014, the Alabama offense put up incredible offensive numbers for a number of reasons. One major reason was having an immensely talented receiver in Amari Cooper. Another reason was having both T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry at running back.
Blake Sims certainly added an extra element because Sims didn’t necessarily run the ball a lot, but he had the ability to elude pressure having been a former running back. Well, Barnett received comparisons in high school to Johnny Manziel.
As long as he keeps his life together off the field, Barnett is just the sort of quarterback Alabama needs: a quarterback who can extend plays and make things happen at just the right time. On a similar note, Saban talked about the wide receiver depth and what a nice luxury it is this season, especially when the team runs the hurry-up offense, nothing necessitating a mobile quarterback, although mobile quarterbacks have a distinct advantage running this type of offense.
Certainly, there are plenty of reasons to not want Barnett as the quarterback. Bateman has greater experience, Barnett threw six interceptions this spring in practice and Barnett had weight issues.
Bateman has experience, but how pivotal is the experience he possesses? A poor start against Ole Miss, plus mop-up duty is what Bateman brings to the table. Barnett’s weight issues were minor to begin with, but he gained roughly 17 pounds in the offseason and is up to about 215 at this point, so weight shouldn’t be a concern.
Finally, Barnett worked extensively with quarterback guru George Whitfield over the summer to work on his reads and progressions. He and Whitfield realized he was simply trying to show off his talents, rather than easing in and just focusing on making the plays.
Whitfield made quite the statement a year ago, calling Barnett “the best 18-year-old” passer he’s ever seen, with the caveat he worked with Andrew Luck when Luck was well past 18. Still, Whitfield has worked with Cam Newton, Tom Brady and Jameis Winston, in addition to Luck. He’s selective about who he accepts as clients, so obviously he saw something special early in Barnett. It doesn’t hurt that Whitfield has a close relationship with Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
It would actually be shocking if one of Alabama’s four quarterbacks elected not to transfer at the conclusion of the season, if not prior. When you recruit three highly touted quarterbacks (Barnett, David Cornwell and Jalen Hurts) plus one well-regarded quarterback (Bateman) and a fourth highly touted quarterback is on the way (Tua Tagovailoa), it stands to reason at least one quarterback will look elsewhere.
Alabama would probably be more comfortable losing Bateman than to lose an electric player like Barnett. One of last year’s team captains was impressed enough to say Barnett would dominate in due time. There is no better time than now.
The last time Alabama had a quarterback as highly regarded as Barnett coming out of high school was with AJ McCarron, who got his first real action in the 2010 Iron Bowl, struggling mightily.
In 2011, he competed with Phillip Sims throughout the first two games before securing the job. McCarron helped Alabama capture two national championships and was a field goal away from playing for a third. McCarron had good arm strength while also figuring out how to be an excellent game manager.
Barnett has mobility to go with excellent arm strength, and if he can show coaches he can fit into a game manager mold, who knows what he can accomplish as the starter?
