NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Nick Saban firmly weighs in on the quarterback controversy brewing at Alabama

Nick Saban's makes a clear statement about Alabama's quarterback situation.

Jalen Hurts led Alabama to the national championship game as a true freshman, which ordinarily would give him job security the following season.

After Alabama's spring game, there has been speculation that incoming freshman Tua Tagovailoa could challenge Hurts for the starting job.

Related: Lane Kiffin calls out Nick Saban again over Jalen Hurts criticism 

Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked about the supposed QB controversy, and he made a clear statement on how he feels about Hurts and Tagovailoa.

"We want every player on our team to compete at a high level, and Jalen Hurts played a lot of good football for us last year, and he's certainly made a lot of progress this spring. Even though all of you in the press are trying to make a quarterback controversy out of nothing, which is what you're doing right now, there isn't one."

Here are Saban's full comments about his quarterbacks courtesy of AL.com.

 

Hurts was the Offensive Player of the Year in the SEC as a freshman, though he struggled at times in the vertical passing game.

Tagovailoa was a five-star prospect out of high school, and he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns during the spring game.

Competition is a good thing for Hurts, but it sounds like Saban expects him to be the starter when Alabama takes on Florida State to start the season.

(h/t Saturday Down South)