Link: Tua discusses leaving early or staying.

[B1GTide]

Why risk further injury and stay? Here is what might happen if he leaves now:

* Worst case - he gets injured while in the NFL, or just washes out, the only money he gets is the guaranteed portion of that contract. The difference from the 1st pick in the draft and the 15th pick in the draft is $21MM in guaranteed $$$. Every player has to strongly consider this possibility. Most players never see a second contract.

*Good possibility - he doesn't get injured but just never makes it as a starter. Maybe his size is a problem. Maybe defenses figure him out. Maybe he lands on a team that doesn't fit his style. Whatever - he doesn't make it as a starter. He might still get a second contract, but making backup money.

Those are two great reasons to consider staying at Alabama for a year to increase his draft stock back up into the top 3 in 2021. The only money that an NFL player knows he will make is the money guaranteed in that first contract that he signs.

 

[Saban4Ever]

I just watched his presser on cbs sports website. He did not reveal much. He started off by seeming nervous, and started talking about injuries to the O line and other players. Then he got more comfortable. He basically said what he said in Herbstreit's interview. He did say that it would be hard to pass up being a top 15 pick. He said he has talked to his family some but wants to keep that info private for now.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

If Tua stays then I am assuming Young will flip to another school. There is no way both Lia and Young will sit multiple years.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

If Tua stays then I am assuming Young will flip to another school. There is no way both Lia and Young will sit multiple years.

Not happening.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

He did drop some clue... Top 15... hard to pass up... So I suspect he already got his grade and we'll hear something soon after Early signing days.

 

[CrimsonForce]

Why risk further injury and stay? Here is what might happen if he leaves now:

* Worst case - he gets injured while in the NFL, or just washes out, the only money he gets is the guaranteed portion of that contract. The difference from the 1st pick in the draft and the 15th pick in the draft is $21MM in guaranteed $$$. Every player has to strongly consider this possibility. Most players never see a second contract.

*Good possibility - he doesn't get injured but just never makes it as a starter. Maybe his size is a problem. Maybe defenses figure him out. Maybe he lands on a team that doesn't fit his style. Whatever - he doesn't make it as a starter. He might still get a second contract, but making backup money.

Those are two great reasons to consider staying at Alabama for a year to increase his draft stock back up into the top 3 in 2021. The only money that an NFL player knows he will make is the money guaranteed in that first contract that he signs.

One thing not being discussed much is the QB class for this year and next year. Even with the injury he is viewed as either the 2nd or 3rd QB off the board behind Burrow and Herbert because this is a weak QB class. Next year, Trevor Lawrence will be the #1 pick unless something crazy happens. So, realistically, he probably would be in the same spot as far as QB pecking order whether he stays or goes..

 

[B1GTide]

One thing not being discussed much is the QB class for this year and next year. Even with the injury he is viewed as either the 2nd or 3rd QB off the board behind Burrow and Herbert because this is a weak QB class. Next year, Trevor Lawrence will be the #1 pick unless something crazy happens. So, realistically, he probably would be in the same spot as far as QB pecking order whether he stays or goes..

Not the same at all. Right now no NFL team will have any idea if they are drafting a "cripple". He has to be 100% or very close to be worth a top 5 pick. So, right now, he is not a top 5 pick. If he was healthy this year he would be - but he is not. If he is healthy next year, he will be.

So, 1st QB or not - what matters is that he be a top 5 pick.

 

[B1GTide]

He did drop some clue... Top 15... hard to pass up... So I suspect he already got his grade and we'll hear something soon after Early signing days.

I kinda agree, but no draft grade will really matter for Tua. If he cannot work out for the NFL, they will be drafting blind. There is no draft grade that covers that.

 

[TheTradition]

If Tua stays then I am assuming Young will flip to another school. There is no way both Lia and Young will sit multiple years.

I keep seeing people say this, and I don't really understand the worry. Young is a great prospect, probably up there with Tua as far as QB's Saban has recruited here. If Tua leaves, then he will be given a chance to compete but by no means is he a shoe in or even the favorite to start next year. I would say Mac is given the way he's played in his opportunities.

I actually think Tua staying is a great situation for BY. He can come in and learn for a year under one of the best. He can spend a year in the weight room which is sorely needed because he is very small right now. In 2021, he will have a chance to compete with a year and a half of experience under his belt, and he'll still have two years left to start if he chooses to go pro early.

I don't expect a decision from Tua until after ESD anyways so I don't think his decision will end up having an impact. Even if, listening to BY speak, I don't get the impression he is banking on starting next year nor do I think Bama is depending on him being ready that early.

Edit: Also don't think Tua staying would be the worse thing for Taulia either as I'm not sure he's progressed enough yet to overtake Mac for next year.

 

[Saban4Ever]

Well, let's just hope Sark stays. We need stability. I really like Sark. So does Bryce Young. Saban should give him a huge raise. I hope the rumors of Sark being interested in the Colorado job are not true.

 

[DogPatch]

Tua staying would probably be beneficial to Young.

 

[CrimsonTheory]

Tradition and DogPatch,

Young is too good/too talented of a prospect to want to sit. Young has already stated that he's coming to Tuscaloosa to start. What happens if Tua is back? LSU is going to need a QB, so you know they'll try and convince him to flip to them. Other schools with QB opens will likely do the same. To keep Young, means Tua has to go pro.

 

[Guido]

He is expected to be ready to play next year. He just won' be ready to work out at the combine.

not what i'm seeing, but it could be wrong. ONE YEAR REHAB, is what i saw, expected to be ready by week 1 next year? is this what the medical guys are saying?

 

[B1GTide]

not what i'm seeing, but it could be wrong. ONE YEAR REHAB, is what i saw, expected to be ready by week 1 next year? is this what the medical guys are saying?

The doctors who worked on Tua said he should be ready to play.

 

[Guido]

The doctors who worked on Tua said he should be ready to play.

i have not seen that, but i believe you, thanks. the main thing is that the injury is maybe not as bad as has been reported. if he is a top 15 pick, i say go man, just a great young man and player. Great family, God bless them all, what ever he decides, cool with me

 

[TheTradition]

Tradition and DogPatch,

Young is too good/too talented of a prospect to want to sit. Young has already stated that he's coming to Tuscaloosa to start. What happens if Tua is back? LSU is going to need a QB, so you know they'll try and convince him to flip to them. Other schools with QB opens will likely do the same. To keep Young, means Tua has to go pro.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. From everything I've heard, Young is solid to UA regardless of what happens.

 

[ROTYDE]

Is Lia as good as his brother. Do you think he would develop to be as good or better?

 

[B1GTide]

Is Lia as good as his brother. Do you think he would develop to be as good or better?

Not from what we have seen so far, but who is? He has great arm talent, but doesn't see the field as well.

 

[BamaFlum]

You are entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. From everything I've heard, Young is solid to UA regardless of what happens.

Based on the reports of his body size and type, he has a lot of ground to cover in the weight room. He could light it up this spring or it may do him good to sit out a year, learn the system, and bulk up.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Tradition and DogPatch,

Young is too good/too talented of a prospect to want to sit. Young has already stated that he's coming to Tuscaloosa to start. What happens if Tua is back? LSU is going to need a QB, so you know they'll try and convince him to flip to them. Other schools with QB opens will likely do the same. To keep Young, means Tua has to go pro.

I don't think Young can come in and start, regardless. Tua did not start in his freshman year. I know Jalen had a lot more experience than Mac, but let's look at what Mac has done with his play this year. He is making throws that Jalen never did, until about 3 throws he made against Georgia in the SEC championship game last year. We are talking about a guy who has stood in the pocket against one of the best DLs in the country bearing down on him and was throwing lasers downfield. I don't care how good you are, as a true freshman, you are not walking in and beating that out.

Now maybe as the season progresses, who knows what will happen? But I would bet my mortgage Young does not start in the first game next year.