Losing Spring Practice Seriously Hurts Alabama at QB

The coronavirus pandemic has brought a halt to most of the professional sports world, with the lone exception being the NFL. Given that we're in March, this is usually the time where college football teams get started on their preparations for the upcoming season. However, that's not happening, as spring practices are postponed until further notice.

While this affects all teams, no one is hurt more than the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama has the unenviable position of trying to find their replacement for Tua Tagovailoa at the quarterback position. The southpaw signal caller is leaving big cleats to fill, as he's set to become a top five selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The team already got a look at Mac Jones last season, due to Tagovailoa's season-ending hip injury last November. Jones performed admirably, where he completed 68.8% of his passes for 1,503 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions through 11 games last season.

Yet, head coach Nick Saban had the chance to see what 5-star recruit Bryce Young could bring. Key word: Had.

Young was the No. 2 ranked overall prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, and the top quarterback in the nation. He was a highly-sought after prospect, and actually turned down a verbal commitment to the USC Trojans in favor of Alabama.

In his senior year at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Cali., Young threw for 4,528 yards, 58 touchdowns and just six interceptions on a ridiculous 71.9 completion percentage. On top of those passing numbers, Young rushed for 379 yards and ten touchdowns on 79 carries.

Spring Practices would've given Young the chance to take the top spot on the quarterback depth chart from Jones. Instead, he lost out on that opportunity due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, he'll have to wait to take the throne, which will now likely come at during the upcoming season.