Seminole Back-Up QB Signs with Bama, Expected to Start

As expected, former Seminole quarterback Jacob Coker gave a verbal commitment to play for Alabama over the weekend.

But Coker still has to graduate from Florida State in the spring in order to be eligible to play at Bama in the fall.

He talked about his situation with a radio station in his hometown of Mobile. In the interview, Coker explains why he chose Alabama.

“I grew up a huge Alabama fan,” Coker said. “It felt like I was coming home. On my visit, I was really impressed by the coaches and players. It got me real excited about coming back and playing for my home state and my hometown team.”

While Coker will miss spring practice, he said he plans on getting familiar with the Tide's playbook. 

“I’m just going to try to get as comfortable with the playbook as possible before I get there,” he said. “Just work as hard as I can to compete when I get there.”

Coker also talked to new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.

“We went over how the games would be managed,” Coker said. “We’ll get into the terminology and the language later. I’m real excited about how he presented the offense and I’m excited about getting into the playbook.”

It's quite obvious that Coker has the inside track to be the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide next season. He definitely meets the specifications Nick Saban seeks for that position: tall, athletic, and capable of runing a pro-style offense. 

Coker also has the most experience than any of the five signal- callerss that the Bama boss already has on campus. But the effect of Coker coming to Tuscaloosa had at least one blue-chip recruit make a hasty re-evaluation of his college future.

Quarterback Ricky Town, who was going to be part of the 2015 class, has flipped to USC. Town is one of the top quarterbacks in the country who he cited the departure of former offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to Michigan as his reason for switching to the home town Trojans:

Coker's addition to the roster might have had an effect, as well.

We'll find out Town's ultimate decision next week. National signing day is Wed 5 Feb.