Alabama’s signing day shows potential shift to pass-based offense

If sheer numbers are any indication, the Alabama Crimson Tide is preparing to return to a pass-heavy offense in the near future.

The Tide captured 247 Sports' second-best class nationally, trailing only perennial recruiting rival Georgia. But it's the makeup of this 2024 class that could indicate where head coach Nick Saban sees his team going in the next few years.

Out of 25 signings and hard commits on Wednesday, six are pass-catchers. That includes four wide receivers — five-star Ryan Williams and four-stars Jameer Grimsley, Rico Scott and Aeryn Hampton — and two tight ends — four-star Caleb Odom and three-star Jay Lindsey. 

In comparison, the Tide only signed one running back, four-star Kevin Riley, a local product who flipped from his Miami commitment on Wednesday. 

While those numbers might look a little lopsided, especially given the extensive use of current QB Jalen Milroe's legs this season, Saban is likely looking ahead to Milroe's successor. 

There's a handful of contenders in the QB room now, and joining them for Rose Bowl preparation is five-star passer Julian Sayin, a player who's already drawing favorable comparisons to Heisman winner Bryce Young and other top-tier passers in Tuscaloosa. 

Whether it's the hyped Sayin or another of the blue-chip quarterback prospects in Ty Simpson, Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan who grabs the starting job after Milroe's departure — which will be the 2025 season at the earliest — it appears Saban is adding personnel that will allow a big-armed QB to thrive.