Nick Saban Starts 17th Season at Alabama by Doing Something He’s Never Done Before

Alabama fans will have to wait until Saturday to know the program’s starters, including the team’s quarterback when the Crimson Tide take the field for their 2023 season opener.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban elected to not release a depth chart of the team’s starters and backup players to eliminate “distractions” as well as to keep players motivated on competing for playing time.

“I want all of our players to continue to compete, continue to compete for playing time, to try to play at the highest level,” Saban told reporters, per ESPN. “And I don’t want anybody on our team to think they're a backup player or whatever.”

The biggest position of interest for Alabama is quarterback, as the question of who will replace Bryce Young, the ’21 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, still looms large. Three quarterbacks—Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner—are seeking to become the Crimson Tide’s new signal-caller.

Milroe was Young’s backup in the ’22 campaign, throwing for 297 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing for 263 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Simpson played in four games last season with limited production, throwing for 35 yards on 4-of-5 passes.

Buchner, who previously played at Notre Dame, transferred to Alabama following spring practice. He has played in 13 games in the last two seasons, throwing for six touchdowns and eight interceptions in that time.

While Saban credited Milroe for making notable improvement heading into this season, he told reporters that he did not have “any expectation” on playing more than one signal caller on Saturday.

“… Regardless of what happens in this game ... just because whoever starts in the first game that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to continue to compete and play throughout the season because the competition doesn’t end like the first game at any position, including quarterback.”

Alabama will kick off the season on Saturday against Middle Tennessee.