Alabama Football: Why Alabama's Next Great Quarterback May Not Be on Campus Yet

While A.J. McCarron has won the starting job at Alabama and seems the heir apparent for the next three years, this leaves the question as to who will be the next great quarterback after he leaves, assuming he lives up to the hype and promise of becoming one himself.

That would only give talented redshirt freshman Phillip Sims one year to fill the starting job.

If he becomes restless waiting for that opportunity and leaves, as has so many other talented back ups at different schools and transfers, or if Saban uses the next three years to groom the next starter who would have two or more years in the system, who would that be?

Phillip Ely is one choice, but he's a freshman this year and will be redshirted. This would give him a maximum of two years as a starter should McCarron finish his senior year.

Saban had a fine run using McElroy for just two years after he sat on the bench absorbing the system as long as he did.

But don't overlook a 2012 commitment that Saban more or less stole from under Wake Forest, Alec Morris from Allen, Texas.

I wrote about Morris in a previous column, and he was discovered by Saban at a summer camp in Tuscaloosa. Saban had known just a little about Morris beforehand, but upon seeing what the young man was capable of and the huge upside he would have in the future, Saban made him a quick offer and Morris said yes.

Prior to that quick offer and acceptance, few, if any, had Morris on their radar—now coaches are kicking themselves for missing this young man themselves.

What Saban sees in Morris is that Greg McElroy/game manager ability, his already knowledgeable experience in a pro style offense and his ability to make good decisions.

But unlike McElroy, who was only 6'2'' and 190 pounds when he came to Tuscaloosa, Morris is coming in at 6'3'' and 235 pounds, with the muscle to absorb hits and shrug off defenders.

By the time he starts taking snaps at Alabama, he could be 6'4'' and around 250.

Plus, Morris would more than likely redshirt his first year as would most Alabama quarterbacks who would give him four years of eligibility after the 2012 season was over.

McCarron will be leaving Tuscaloosa in 2013 and Morris would have three years remaining, just as McCarron had when he took over.

At this point in history though, all such things are purely speculative. Phillip Sims may stay and win it all in his first and only year as a starter, or Phillip Ely could get hot and have two great years as a starter as McElroy had.

Anything is possible.

Still, it's always entertaining to look into the crystal ball and see what could be.

Personally, I've never seen Morris take a snap, but he could very well be the next great quarterback after McCarron.