Alabama’s signing day suggests a possible change to a pass-based strategy

admin | December 21, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

If the sheer statistics are any indicator, the Alabama Crimson Tide will soon return to a pass-heavy approach.

The Tide had the second-best recruiting class in the country, trailing only perennial foe Georgia. However, the composition of this 2024 class may reflect where head coach Nick Saban sees his squad going in the coming years.

Six pass-catchers were among the 25 signings and hard commits on Wednesday. There are four wide receivers, including five-star Ryan Williams and four-stars Jameer Grimsley, Rico Scott, and Aeryn Hampton, as well as two tight ends, four-star Caleb Odom and three-star Jay Lindsey.

In comparison, Alabama only signed one running back, four-star Kevin Riley, a local native who backed out of his commitment to Miami on Wednesday.

While those figures may appear unfair, especially with the considerable use of incumbent QB Jalen Mills’ legs this season, Saban is most likely looking ahead to Milroe’s replacement.

There are a few candidates in the QB room right now, and Julian Sayin, a five-star passer who has already drawn favorable parallels to Heisman champion Bryce Young and other top-tier passers in Tuscaloosa, is joining them for Rose Bowl preparation.

Whether it’s the hyped Sayin or another of the blue-chip quarterback prospects in Ty Simpson, Eli Holstein, and Dylan Lonergan who takes over the starting job after Milroe’s departure — which won’t happen until the 2025 season at the earliest — Saban appears to be assembling a team that will allow a big-armed QB to thrive.

Tags:Alabama