No matter how successful a quarterback is or how long he has been entrenched as a starter, the arrival of a blue-chip recruit and a run of ineffective performances can quickly land him on the bench.
It happened at powerhouse Alabama, where Jalen Hurts won 25 of his first 27 starts to start his career, then turned in a 3-of-8 passing performance in the national championship game and was replaced by freshman Tua Tagovailoa at halftime—the rest is history. After an offseason of questions dodged by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, Hurts has been regulated to a supporting role in the first four games of the 2018 season.