Remember that quarterback battle that hasn't materialized yet for the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide? It's back on.
At least, from a health perspective.
Rising sophomore Tua Tagovailoa -- the hero of the 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship in January -- appeared fine at the "QB Retreat," which is an offseason quarterback camp hosted by private coach Steve Clarkson. He missed the majority of spring practice with a broken finger suffered in the first practice of the season.
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa out here @steveclarkson #TheQBRetreat in Palisades. #RollTide pic.twitter.com/yhUT0p6Yel
— The Nation. (@SportsRecruits) May 26, 2018
Tagovailoa came in for an ineffective Jalen Hurts at halftime of last season's title game and tossed three touchdowns, including the 41-yard walk-off game-winner to DeVonta Smith. It was anticipated that Tagovailoa and Hurts -- who lost just two games in two years as Alabama's starting quarterback -- would battle it out for the top spot on the depth chart this spring.
But Tagovailoa's absence allowed Hurts to take the majority of the No. 1 snaps. Despite that, Hurts completed just 19-of-37 for 195 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception in the spring game. As a result, Tagovailoa will likely enter fall practice as the front-runner for the defending national champions.