With just days remaining until Alabama opens its highly anticipated season against Florida State, one question continues to loom large over Tuscaloosa: who will be under center for the Crimson Tide? The quarterback situation remains as murky as ever, and head coach Kalen DeBoer has remained tight-lipped, refusing to tip his hand ahead of one of the biggest non-conference matchups of the college football season.
Throughout spring practice and into fall camp, Alabama’s quarterback battle has remained one of the most hotly debated topics in college football circles. With former starter Jalen Milroe entering the portal and Ty Simpson transferring to Texas A\&M, the door was left wide open for a new face to take the reins of one of the nation’s most prestigious programs. Yet as game week arrives, no one has stepped up to definitively claim the job.
Redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan, sophomore Eli Holstein, and true freshman Julian Sayin have all seen reps with the first team at various points during the offseason, each showing flashes of potential but none offering the consistency needed to win the job outright. Insiders close to the program have hinted that the coaching staff remains split, with some leaning toward Holstein’s arm strength and composure, others favoring Sayin’s elite prep pedigree and upside, while a quieter camp from Lonergan has raised some questions about whether he’s ready for the spotlight.
Complicating matters is Alabama’s brutal early schedule. Facing Florida State in Week 1 is no easy task, especially with the Seminoles returning a fierce defensive line and a veteran secondary. Without a proven quarterback, the Crimson Tide run the risk of falling behind early in a game that could have College Football Playoff implications. The lack of clarity at the position has stirred concern among fans, analysts, and former players, all wondering if the team can establish an offensive identity in time.
Coach DeBoer, who took over after Nick Saban’s retirement, has been steadfast in his approach. “We’re evaluating everything,” he said during a recent press conference. “We want to put the best guy out there, but we’re not going to rush a decision just to satisfy speculation. We’ve got talented players and a great coaching staff. When we’re ready, you’ll know.”
Despite the lack of a named starter, DeBoer emphasized that the offense is progressing. “It’s about who leads the team, who protects the football, who can execute under pressure,” he said. “All three have had their moments. We’ve been pushing them hard, and the competition has made them better.”
Still, as kickoff approaches, many are questioning whether a true quarterback competition this late in camp helps or hinders a program like Alabama’s. Unlike previous seasons, where the Crimson Tide entered with a clear starter—whether it was Bryce Young, Mac Jones, or Tua Tagovailoa—this year feels different. The uncertainty has created a buzz of anxiety in a fanbase unaccustomed to ambiguity.
The situation is also a stark contrast from Florida State’s camp, where returning starter Tate Rodemaker has had full control of the offense and a full offseason to build rapport with his receivers. While the Seminoles have had their own questions elsewhere on the roster, quarterback isn’t one of them. That continuity could prove to be a major advantage in a game expected to be decided by the smallest of margins.
For Alabama, the decision may not ultimately be about naming a starter and sticking with them for the season. There’s growing belief that DeBoer could employ a two-quarterback system early on, giving both Holstein and Sayin opportunities to show what they can do under live-game pressure. While that strategy has had mixed success in college football, it could serve as a temporary solution until one of the young signal-callers separates himself.
Of course, with the transfer portal constantly looming, managing the quarterback room has become more precarious than ever. DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan must balance the short-term need to win now with the long-term development of their young talent. Playing favorites too early could lead to departures. Waiting too long could cost them games.
The lack of clarity has also affected the rest of the offense. Wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs have all rotated with different quarterbacks during practice, trying to build chemistry on the fly. That lack of cohesion could be problematic against a Florida State defense that thrives on disruption and forcing mistakes.
“It’s a challenge,” junior wideout Kobe Prentice admitted. “We’ve got three guys who all bring something different. You’ve got to stay locked in no matter who’s back there. But once we get rolling, we trust Coach DeBoer will put us in the best position.”
That trust will be tested in Week 1. The offensive line, which returns three starters from last season, will be tasked with giving the young quarterback—whoever he may be—enough time to read the defense and make smart decisions. Pass protection will be critical against a Florida State front that can generate pressure without blitzing.
Defensively, Alabama is expected to once again be among the best in the country, with a front seven capable of dictating tempo and a secondary led by All-American safety Malachi Moore. But even the most dominant defense can’t carry a team forever if the offense fails to sustain drives or puts them in tough field position repeatedly.
What’s clear is that Alabama is walking a fine line. The team remains stacked with talent and has enough depth to compete for a national title. But in today’s college football landscape, uncertainty at quarterback is a dangerous game. The last time Alabama faced this much preseason doubt under center, it was 2015, when Jake Coker ultimately emerged after a multi-player competition. That season ended with a national championship. Tide fans are hoping history repeats itself.
Whether Holstein, Sayin, or Lonergan earns the nod—or whether a rotation continues into September—the decision will shape not just the opener against Florida State, but potentially the entire season. With SEC play looming shortly after, Alabama can’t afford to stumble out of the gate.
For now, the guessing game continues. Practice reps are closed to the media, and sources inside the program have gone quiet. Every snap in practice is scrutinized, every hint dissected. Fans watch film clips and listen for any trace of insight from coaches and teammates. But the truth is, no one outside the building truly knows who will lead the Tide into battle in Orlando.
That mystery may persist all the way up until kickoff. And perhaps that’s by design. In a chess match against a worthy opponent, keeping your cards close to the vest isn’t just wise—it might be necessary.
Still, in a program defined by stability and success, this kind of uncertainty is unusual. And as Alabama readies for its toughest season opener in over a decade, the pressure is rising. The answer to the Tide’s quarterback question can’t stay hidden forever. When the lights come on, someone will have to lead.
Whoever it is, their moment is coming. Ready or not.