Blake Barnett is about to become the youngest quarterback to start at Alabama under Nick Saban.

The redshirt freshman will start for the No. 1 Tide in its season-opening game against No. 20 USC Saturday night, sources told AL.com.

The former five-star recruit has been competing with redshirt junior Cooper Bateman and freshman Jalen Hurts for Alabama's starting quarterback job.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Barnett has continued to improve after struggling some during the spring. He performed well in practice this week, according to sources.

This will be the first time a quarterback younger than a redshirt sophomore has started for the Tide since Saban was hired in 2007.