Alabama appears to have settled on a backup quarterback.

Following last weekend’s scrimmage, Alabama coach Nick Saban declared Mac Jones as the Crimson Tide’s primary backup signal-caller behind Tua Tagovailoa. Following Tagovailoa and Jones are a couple of true freshmen: Taulia Tagovailoa and Paul Tyson.

“Mac is way ahead of the other guys,” Saban said. “He’s been here in the program for a couple of years. He knows the offense. He’s really smart. He makes good decisions for the most part. The big thing we’ve been trying to get him to do is when he doesn’t make a good play, don’t hang on to it. Go to the next play. He’s done a good job of that. He’s been very productive in both scrimmages that we’ve had.”

A lot of media hype surrounded Taulia Tagovailoa as the second-team quarterback because he’s the younger brother of Tua Tagovailoa, the 2018 Heisman Trophy runner-up. It also would’ve made a great storyline. Taulia was impressive in the spring, but he needs more experience.

Tyson, the great-grandson of former Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, would’ve been another headline grabber. From what I saw in the A-day game, Tyson is nowhere near ready for playing time. He needs a redshirt season.

I expected Jones to win the primary backup role because of his experience.  Jones played well in spot duty last year.

I think Alabama should insert Jones into games way before the outcomes are decided. It’s a formula Saban used over the last five years.

Jake Coker received playing time after Blake Sims won the starting job in 2014. Blake Barnett had the same opportunity after Jalen Hurts took the starting role in 2016.  Two years ago, Tua saw significant minutes behind Hurts.

We all know what happened after that: Tua came off the bench and led Alabama to an improbable, yet memorable national title victory over Georgia. Tua eventually won the job, finished second in the Heisman race and now poised to become a Top five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, if he declares.

I’m not saying Jones will produce another storybook finish, but he’s earned the right to serve as Tua’s backup.