Nick Saban was adamant during spring training that Alabama didn't have a quarterback controversy.
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Related: Nick Saban firmly weighs in on the quarterback controversy brewing at Alabama
Jalen Hurts led the Tide to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the national title game last season, so he presumably would have control of the offense in 2017 despite the arrival of five-star QB Tua Tagovailoa.
However, Saban told CBS Sports college football analyst Dennis Dodd that Hurts could lose the starting QB job before next season.
Dodd asked if the quarterback battle would continue through August, and this is how Saban responded:
"I've never said anything about it being a quarterback battle," Saban said. "I'm not going to say anything about it being a quarterback battle now.
"We have a quarterback who played really well and was SEC Player of the Year last year. I'm not saying he can't be beat out. I'm not saying the players here have an opportunity to beat him out. But that's the case at every position."
It wasn't necessarily a definitive statement either way from Saban, and it simply could have a motivational tactic for Hurts.
Alabama's passing game struggled at times in 2016 with Hurts—especially in the national title game against Clemson. But Hurts was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and he was a dynamic playmaker for the Tide's offense.
Hurts is still the favorite to be the starter again in 2017, and it sounds like Saban wants every player to know their job isn't safe. It would be shocking if Alabama started another true freshman next season with Hurts still available.
(h/t Saturday Down South)
