Other quarterbacks in the mix for a back-up role include sophomore Nick Fanuzzi (6-3, 201) and walk-on freshman Thomas Darrah (6-5, 190). Fanuzzi played in a mop up role against Western Carolina as a freshman, but did not attempt a pass. The Texas high school standout was recruited and signed by Saban shortly after his arrival to Tuscaloosa. He is more of a dual-threat quarterback than pro-style, and though he is still very young, he has not yet matured on the field enough to warrant significant playing time. It remains to be seen if McElwain can tap into his potential, but heading into the fall, he finds himself on the low end of the depth chart.
Thomas Darrah is a name that many Tide fans would not have recognized 6 months ago. However, after a very productive spring practice, the walk-on signal caller began to develop a bit of a following on Alabama message boards as a fan favorite. Darrah burst onto the scene in April after he wowed fans at the A-day game by connecting on 8 of 14 passes for 110 yards, including a 44 yard touchdown to wide receiver Marquis Maze. Despite the positive spring game performance, the pro-style passer is at the bottom of the depth chart, and isn’t likely to see any meaningful playing time unless a rash of injuries take a toll on those ahead of him.
One final name that will likely appear on the fall depth chart is incoming true freshman Brad Smelley (6-3, 220). Smelley, a Tuscaloosa native, is a good athlete who is coming to the Capstone with a very impressive high school résumé. Once thought to be a sure H-back in Alabama’s offense, it now appears that Smelley will at least get a shot this August to go under center if he chooses to. Most consider his final destination to be H-back, but you can’t ignore the numbers he put up in high school as a quarterback. As a senior at American Christian Academy, he threw for 3,309 yards and 33 touchdowns. He showcased his mobility by adding 659 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
A wild card at quarterback is true freshman BJ Scott (5-11, 195), who is a player that could see some situational snaps under center or in the shotgun formation. Scott is a jack of all trades on the football field, and while his primary position will be wide receiver, the possibility of giving him a package at quarterback has been discussed. He played the position in high school and proved that he was a dual threat in every sense of the word. Scott would create mismatches and exploit slow defenses. While it is not a certainty that he will be utilized in that manner for the Tide, especially early on during his career, it is certainly something that is worth keeping an eye on.
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