The stage is set for a Week 1 NFL quarterback matchup between former Alabama teammates Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones after the New England Patriots released Cam Newton on Tuesday, which clears the way for Jones to start the season opener against Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12. Both players were part of Alabama's 2017 signing class, and each quarterbacked the Crimson Tide to a national title during their time in the program.
Tagovailoa is entering his second season with the Dolphins after taking over as their starter midway through his rookie season in 2020. His departure for the NFL after three years at Alabama following the 2019 season cleared the way for Jones to take the Crimson Tide's starting role last season as a redshirt junior.
After spending much of his career behind Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts on the Alabama depth chart, Jones became the program's all-time single-season passing yardage leader last season with 4,500 yards while leading the Crimson Tide to a 13-0 record and national title. Jones and Tagovailoa are at or near the top of nearly every single-season passing record in Alabama history, and the fact that both were part of the same recruiting class is a testament the recruiting machine developed by coach Nick Saban.
With Hurts battling Gardner Minshew to start for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, the Crimson Tide could have three quarterbacks from their 2018 roster all starting for NFL teams to begin the 2021 season. The program's recent production of NFL talent at the position further underscores the evolution undertaken by Saban in recent years to transform his system from a run-first, defensive-oriented style into a modern offensive juggernaut.
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