Alabama Football: 5 things to watch during 2019 A-Day game

4. Armchair quarterbacking with Tua’s backups

Saban announced at the beginning of spring practice that junior Tua Tagovailoa was the team’s starting quarterback. Glad we got that sorted out.

Obviously Alabama is set with last season’s Heisman runner-up running the show in 2019. By all accounts, he’s had an immaculate spring, and we all better enjoy him during what will undoubtedly be his final season of college football.

But what about the backups behind him? With Jalen Hurts now running the show at Oklahoma, Saban no longer has the luxury of an experienced starter as the team’s backup. Without Hurts last season, Alabama doesn’t even make it to Santa Clara for the title game because the injuries to Tua would have forced Mac Jones into the fray, and there’s little chance he could have led the rally against Georgia.

Tua’s health is a legitimate concern, and that’s why eyes will be set on the backups on Saturday. Redshirt sophomore Mac Jones was third string last year behind Tua and Hurts, and has the inside track to be the backup in 2019. I think everyone would ultimately be surprised if he ever took a meaningful snap with Alabama, though. He seems to be a placeholder until the two freshmen are ready to go.

Tua’s younger brother Taulia Tagovailoa has made some early waves in his first spring. He’s likely No. 3  on the depth chart right now, but he has taken some reps with the twos, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him and Jones rotating this weekend. With his athleticism, the younger Tagovailoa is likely a better fit for the type of offense Alabama wants to run. He can be a dynamic RPO threat with his ability as a runner.

It will also be interesting to finally get a look at Paul Tyson, the great grandson of legendary head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Tyson was a heavily recruited passer who has great size and a big arm. He’s been working behind both Jones and Taulia during the spring as the No. 4 passer, but he’s got the talent to make a big move once he masters the playbook and the speed of the game.

If one of those three can step up and look like a reliable option if something happened to Tua, it would go a long way in reducing the anxiety surrounding the health of the Heisman front-runner.