(AP Photo)
Nationally renowned quarterback coach George Whitfield, Jr. worked with incoming Alabama freshman Blake Barnett this offseason and made a bold statement about the five-star recruit’s abilities.
From Charlie Potter of 247Sports.com:
It’s hard to take a comment like that lightly considering the source. According to Potter, Whitfield, Jr. has previously worked with Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Johnny Manziel – all Heisman Trophy Award winners currently on NFL rosters.
Is Whitfield, Jr. exaggerating? It’s possible Barnett is better at this stage of his career than any of those quarterbacks were, but man, are those some major players to be compared to. And there’s no doubt Alabama and its fans are desperately hoping Barnett lives up to those comparisons.
The program has been taking steps backwards ever since quarterback A.J. McCarron left following the 2013 season.
Barnett, out of Corona, Calif. (Santiago) is a five-star quarterback ranked No. 2 in the nation at his position for the 2015 class, according to 247Sports.com. He stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds.
Alabama has yet to name a starter at quarterback. The Crimson Tide open the season on Sept. 5 against Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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