Ja'Corey Brooks on Alabama QB Battle: "We Never Know Whose Name Gonna Be Called"
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It's been a few years since Alabama football has had a quarterback battle in the offseason, but with the departure of Heisman Trophy-winner Bryce Young the position battle is heating up once again.
In one corner of the metaphorical ring, you have redshirt-sophomore Jalen Milroe. Milroe returns to the team after serving as the team's primary backup in 2022 and even starting against Texas A&M when Young was out due to a shoulder injury.
In the opposite corner is redshirt-freshman Ty Simpson. While Simpson might not have gathered much experience last year as a member of the Crimson Tide, his five-star pedigree has him in the running to compete with Milroe as the replacement for Young this season.
On Wednesday afternoon, wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks met with the media to discuss the spring practice season. During his press conference, Brooks was asked multiple questions about this year's quarterbacks.
"I've always seen Jalen develop ever since we got here together," Brooks said of his relationship with Milroe. "He's trying to become a leader — he's become a leader more on the team. He's just stepping up big-time for us making some good reads out there in practice and always competing."
Brooks also talked about what he's seen from Simpson so far this spring.
"I've seen a lot of improvement from him," Brooks said. "Also, both quarterbacks — they both competing, hard-working and they're getting the job done."
Last season, Milroe took control under center at Arkansas during the second quarter when Young landed awkwardly on his shoulder on the sideline. In the game against the Razorbacks, he completed 4-of-9 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 91 yards off six carries and another touchdown on the ground.
During Simpson's senior year at Westview High School in Tennessee, he recorded 2,827 passing yards and 41 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. On the ground he rushed for 862 yards and 11 more touchdowns off 92 carries.
Regardless of who fills Young's shoed to start next season, Alabama is in good hands. For Brooks, he's focused on building his relationship with both quarterbacks so that when the time comes, he'll be successful on the field regardless of who's chosen as the team's starter in 2023.
"We always take extra time to build with both — all of them, not even just the first two but every quarterback that we got," Brooks said. "We got to get the chemistry because we never know whose name gonna be called."
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