Former Alabama QB gives insight on how Tide’s next starting quarterback should see competition

Former Alabama football quarterback and the head coach of the Birmingham Stallions AJ McCarron feels the Tide’s next starting quarterback should be approaching the current quarterback competition with a certain mindset.

McCarron was the Tide’s starting quarterback for three years. He led Alabama to two National Championships as a starter. He reflected back on his mindset heading into fighting to be the Tide’s starting quarterback before he earned the job, while providing some insight on the mindset he feels Austin Mack and Keelon Russell should have.

‘The other thing I look for in this situation is what quarterback can separate from going out each and every day in practice and not feeling like he’s competing against the other guy, and he’s competing more against himself because if he has the confidence, and he believes in his abilities to be successful then he doesn’t need to worry about the other guy he’s going against,” McCarron said on The Dynasty Podcast. “You just worry about yourself and that was one of the things that I dealt with during my time, going into my first year of being the starter, is I had to not worry about what Philip (Sims) did in practice. And he was going to make throws, that’s his job. It was okay. Am I making sure I’m putting us in the best situation or the best scenario to be successful as an offense and as a team? And if I do that, and knowing the type of player I am, then I’ll win the job.”

Mack and Russell continue to battle to be the Crimson Tide’s next starting quarterback. Ryan Grubb updated where they stood last week after multiple practices while talking to reporters.

“They’re doing really good. First two practices were awesome,” Grubb said. “Today, there was a little bit of a regression. Heavier install, some things they had to work through today. They are both doing awesome. Competitive. They got the right spirit in the room. They’re attacking all the preparation and doing a really good job.”

Alabama will resume spring practice later this month.