Rece Davis believes inexperience has Alabama ‘a year away’

Inexperience is not usually a problem for head coach Nick Saban. Despite sending a slew of players to the NFL on a yearly basis, Alabama has continually plugged in talented players with some game action under their belt. You cannot say the same in certain spots heading into the 2023 season, leading to more questions than usual for the Crimson Tide.

With all of the fresh faces stepping into key spots, ESPN’s Rece Davis asks if Alabama is a year away from seriously competing for a national championship. The quarterback issue is present as well but not the only concern from the outside. Prominent positions are going to be held by players not in the program a year ago.

“They’ve got a ton of young talent,” Davis said during a Monday appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. “I think they might be a year away because they have a deep roster. But they have a lot of guys that haven’t played a lot who are going to be in key spots. If they can solve the quarterback issue or know who that is going into next year, they might be in a different position.”

Multiple true freshmen have the opportunity to emerge with a starting spot let alone contribute this year. Safety Caleb Downs is expected to be part of Alabama’s secondary, while Kaydn Proctor may beat out Elijah Pritchett at left tackle. Justice Haynes is one who may not start but will get a ton of opportunities.

Alabama has multiple players from the 2022 recruiting class projected to be in the two-deep roster as well. Those players are just in their second season of college football. Davis argues getting a year of experience — also for the 2023 recruiting class — and the Crimson Tide are back to being potential favorites in 2024.

Rece Davis highlights how Alabama can compete in 2023

Unfortunately, taking a year off is not exactly how it works in Tuscaloosa. Alabama expects to compete for a national championship every single season, no matter the circumstances. When it pertains to success during 2023, Davis believes everything depends on how the quarterbacks end up playing.

“I don’t say that to say they should concede the season or they have no shot,” Davis said. “I think this might be one of those years where you see young talent emerge. And maybe because of the quarterback question, there is an unexpected stumble or two.

“But they are still one of the three, four most talented teams in the country. If they get efficient quarterback play, they’re going to be a factor in the SEC and national championship race.”

To this point, none of Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe, and Ty Simpson have been named the starter by Saban. Eventually — maybe once the regular season starts — someone will emerge. Whoever winds up with the long-term job will have to perform at an “efficient” rate to make any kind of championship noise.

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