re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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TideSaint

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Nearly three weeks after announcing his intentions to transfer to Alabama, former East Carolina QB Gardner Minshew has committed to Washington State.

The Brandon, Miss. native did not sign a letter of intent or binding agreement with the Crimson Tide, allowing him to pursue another program if he changed his mind -- something BamaOnLine noted as a possibility in its original report last month.

According to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, Minshew hopes to pursue his dreams of playing in the NFL with a more immediate route to the field next fall with the Cougars.

Minshew's change of heart leaves the Tide with three scholarship QBs going into the fall barring any changes to to the roster this spring or summer.

Stay tuned to BamaOnLine for more details on this story.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa injured his thumb on the first day of Alabama’s spring football practice, Nick Saban announced in a press conference.

“Tua hurt his thumb today in practice,” Saban said Tuesday. “We’re taking him to Birmingham to get that evaluated. But it’s probably going to require some time for him to get back. I don’t want to speculate on what the injury might be. Mostly telling me when these type of things happen, it takes a little while for them to come back.”

Tagovailoa completed 63.6 percent of his passes (49-of-77) with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in nine games of action, totaling 636 yards through the air. The dual-threat signal caller added 27 carries for 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns and finished first among quarterbacks in the SEC in passing efficiency (204.0) in limited action.

The Hawaii product entered the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in the second half and earned Offensive MVP honors for his efforts in the 26-23 overtime win over the Georgia Bulldogs. He found DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard touchdown strike on the final play of the game to help Alabama secure its NCAA-record 17th national titles.

In Tuesday’s inaugural spring practice, Tagovailoa was behind junior Jalen Hurts in footwork drills and threw beside him to wide receivers. According to Saban, the starting job will remain in the air, even with Tagovailoa indefinitely sidelined by a thumb injury.

“I think in a few days, Tua will probably be able to do some things,” Saban said when asked about the quarterbacks. “But when you hurt your thumb on your throwing hand, it’s kind of hard to grip the ball, so I think that’s going to be the issue is whether he’s able to throw it.

“He and Jalen were splitting reps, and we’re giving both guys an opportunity to see how they compete, to see how they do. So, we don’t have decisions, we’re not speculating on any decisions. But we’re just going to be fair and honest in terms of how we give both players a chance to compete.”

Alabama will return to the practice field Thursday, March 22, for Day 2 of spring ball.

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Coach Saban made it sound like he will be back pretty soon though. Hopefully it's a stinger. Finger injuries can be quite a pain even if it's not serious

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