Alabama lands second QB for 2023 in four-star Dylan Lonergan
Back in late May, Alabama secured an important commitment from four-star Eli Holstein, the nation’s No. 8 quarterback for the 2023 recruiting class. As of Monday, the Crimson Tide have now landed a second blue chip quarterback for the current cycle in four-star Dylan Lonergan out of Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood.
Lonergan chose the Crimson Tide over South Carolina and Stanford.
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Alabama’s desire to add two top-tier signal callers isn’t by accident. With Bryce Young heading into what many believe could be his final season in Tuscaloosa, the Tide want to make sure it continues to have plenty of depth and competition at the position. That’s more difficult to do in a transfer portal era.
If Young elects to leave after this season, Alabama will have Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson returning. Despite only being a redshirt sophomore in 2023, Milroe may have the ability to be a one-and-done starter. It’s way too early to make any sort of ruling on that one way or another, but he’s showing signs.
Plus, there’s always the possibility that the loser of the 2023 battle — whether that’s Milroe or Simpson — could choose to enter the transfer portal. If that were to happen, the Crimson Tide would need to ensure that its got three scholarship signal callers on the roster without having to panic or scramble.
Alabama has recent history of signing two quarterbacks in the same class and turning them both into first-round draft picks. Back in 2017, the Crimson Tide signed five-star Tua Tagovailoa, but they also brought in four-star Mac Jones. So, what happened?
Tagovailoa became a starter by Year 2. Then after two seasons, he went on to be the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. At that point, Jones became the program’s full-time starter after filling in for Tagovailoa down the stretch in 2019.
Jones then led Alabama to only its second undefeated national championship under Nick Saban before eventually being taken in the first round (No. 15 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. His willingness to sit, learn and develop helped Jones reach his ultimate goal. And that success now has others, such as Lonergan and Holstein, willing to try a similar route.
Lonergan is rated as the No. 86 overall player, No. 9 quarterback and No. 4 player from the state of Georgia, per the On3 Consensus. Here’s what the On3 scouting summary has to say about the 6-foot-1, 220-pound gunslinger:
Talented passer who doubles as a standout on the gridiron and the baseball diamond. Highly touted baseball prospect who holds multiple Power 5 baseball offers, with the possibility of being a MLB Draft pick. Shows touch and accuracy as a passer at all levels of the field. Layers the football well, but can turn up the heat if needed on tight window throws. Productive while facing strong competition. Threw for nearly 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions as a junior. Mobile and creative with his legs. Ran for over 600 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior. Has a stocky build, measuring between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-2 and around 220 pounds. Mechanics can falter when the pocket collapses. Arm talent combined with his accuracy makes him one of the safer quarterback prospects in the country despite being on the older end for his class. Father was a quarterback at Penn State in the early 1980’s and won a national championship with them in 1982.
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