The backstories of Alabama’s quarterback supporting group
Ahead of the Rose Bowl, Jalen Milroe has been the player most frequently questioned by the media. And with good reason. The quarterback for the Crimson Tide, who is the hottest player on the sexiest squad in the country, might be the key differentiator in Monday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal between No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Alabama.
The extraordinary comeback of Milroe has been nothing short of amazing. After starting the game against South Florida on the bench in Week 3, the redshirt sophomore went on to finish sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting this year. Alabama, though, sees the turnaround behind center as a team effort.
First-year Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees stated, “You build really a strong rapport and really a family-like atmosphere when you’re in that room together as much as we are.” “We try to preach as much as we can for them to encourage one another. There is only one quarterback playing, but our goal is shared success. Our goal is to be able to state that when a quarterback performs well, the team as a whole benefits.
Here is a look at the supporting cast for Alabama quarterback Tyler Milroe and how they helped the Tide win this season.
Tyler Buchner didn’t plan for this, but he has no regrets about moving to Alabama. With aspirations of becoming the next Crimson Tide quarterback to win a championship, the Notre Dame transfer joined the team. Rather, his one and only season in Tuscaloosa had a distinct focus.
“The failure experience,” Buchner stated. “Not many individuals get to experience the hardships I do and attempt to overcome them in order to succeed. That, in my opinion, has been an incredible opportunity as well as experience.
Buchner had studied under Rees at Notre Dame for the previous two years before coming to Alabama. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Tide’s quarterback position and his familiarity with the coordinator’s system, he believed he would have a good chance of competing for the starting job behind center.
He was correct, too.
Following two costly interceptions by Milroe in Alabama’s Week 2 loss to Texas, the Tide turned to Buchner, starting him the next week against South Florida.
Buchner told TideIllustrated, “The thought was if I played well, I was going to keep playing.” It’s the principle that underpins all of football. The next man up will play if you don’t perform well. I simply wasn’t playing good enough.
Before being replaced by Ty Simpson in the second quarter, Buchner led Alabama on four touchdown drives but only completed five of his fourteen passes for 34 yards against USF.
“To tell the truth, it was a pretty gloomy beginning,” Buchner remarked. “The day was difficult. I had all these hopes and dreams of being an NFL quarterback and starting quarterback for Alabama. I was disappointed that I was unable to assist my colleagues and lead this team to a national championship. The most heartbreaking thing is when you think you failed your teammates.
That way of thinking persisted for a few days until Buchner made the decision to change his way of thinking. He didn’t give up on his dream of guiding Alabama’s offense to a national championship, even though it soon became apparent that this was his future.
Buchner remarked, “I kind of learned how to change my thoughts.” “You have the choice to live in this world of self-pity and disappointment and feel awful about yourself, or you can decide that you’re going to face each day as an opportunity to grow and improve yourself. I simply went on to “What can I do to help this team?” Though I’m not the guy, how can I support the other guys.”
Buchner’s poor start against USF prevented him from playing for Alabama again. He now works behind the scenes for the Crimson Tide as a scout team member and tutor to the team’s other quarterbacks. Buchner has taken on the role of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy this week, helping Alabama’s defense get ready for the versatile threat.
Malachi Moore, a defensive back for Alabama, said, “He does a great job of giving us a great look each and every day.” “I believe he’s doing a fantastic job preparing us for the game.”
Buchner declared earlier this month that he will be returning to Notre Dame to play lacrosse. Although he stated he wouldn’t trade this season, it wasn’t how he had anticipated his sports career to go.
Buchner remarked, “Not even close to any regret.” “What an incredible experience this has been. It was my first visit to the South of any length. I had a great time while attending Alabama. People I met, I adored them. My stay at the University of Alabama was fantastic. I had excellent instructors and teachers. My education taught me a lot.
This is, in my opinion, the best college football ever. We have the greatest coaching staff in the nation, in my opinion, because of Coach Saban’s expertise and that of the entire group. meeting a varied collection of individuals on this team and being able to converse with them and comprehend their perspectives. It’s been a wonderful encounter.
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