Nick Saban is not ready to make a call at starting quarterback and lists Blake Sims and transfer Jacob Coker as co-starters for Saturday’s season opener against West Virginia.
Coker, a transfer from Florida State who arrived on campus in the spring, is a big pocket passer with very good arm strength. He was presumed the starter, but Sims has more time in the offense and his comfort level was evident in fall camp.
Coker, 6-5, 230, was Jameis Winston’s backup at Florida State. He is a pro-style quarterback akin to AJ McCarron, whereas Sims was used mostly in a read-option niche role.
“Whatever pitcher starts the game isn’t necessarily going to pitch nine innings,” Saban said on Monday.
A determination on the starter might not come until game day.
“We’re going to continue to rep both guys,” Saban said Monday. “We feel like both guys have done a good job. Obviously someone has to start the game, so we’ll make that decision sometime this week.”
Saban said there is no negative tied to the team’s indecisiveness at quarterback and after having so much stability under McCarron.
“I do think competition is something that helps all players at any position,” he said. “The one unique thing about the quarterback is you’d definitely like to get the rest of the offensive team sort of in sync with the guy that plays the position. So, to me, there’s a big upside to two guys competing, and we feel both are doing well. But then the other side of that is the continuity you’re trying to bring to the rest of your team.”