Alabama Football G04 vs Florida 2014

Alabama quarterback Jacob Coker (14) stands on center stage during the fourth quarter of the Crimson Tide's win over Florida in September.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

Quarterback competitions were rare in Nick Saban's first six seasons. The closest race may have been AJ McCarron over Phillip Sims in 2011 and the job was locked away three seasons.

Now the Crimson Tide has its second in as many years with another set of circumstances. Last spring, Blake Sims was the No. 1 in spring with the knowledge Jacob Coker would join the race in the summer after transferring from Florida State. Sims never lost the job in his final collegiate season.

That leaves Coker as the top returning Alabama quarterback and the only one on the roster to have thrown a pass in a college game. Four other scholarship players -- Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Blake Barnett -- also have an eye on the job when spring practice resumes Monday.

After the first workout last Friday, Saban had a positive review for Coker's transition into Year 2 in Tuscaloosa.

"You know, today is the first day, he certainly seemed a lot more confident out there and comfortable," Saban said Friday. "Obviously when he started last year it was a whole new offense to him, everyone was ahead of him and right now I feel like right now he's a lot more comfortable and confident with what we're doing."

Saban went on to say they're adjusting some of the offense to help the quarterbacks.

"We've tried to make it a little easier with what we're doing at that position so that they don't have to burden as some of the guys in the past have had so that the inexperienced players can develop a little more quickly," Saban said. "And we're hopeful Jake will be able to do that and we're pleased with where he is right now."

It takes time to establish chemistry with a new team and Coker has the benefit of an offseason to build those bonds.

Center Ryan Kelly was Coker's roommate during preseason camp last August. He saw teammates gain respect for Coker from his response to losing the competition with Sims.

"He'd be the first guy...I remember we scored against Florida and he was the first guy over there high-fiving and jumping up and down, so just a team guy that everybody wants to be around," Kelly said. "Quite frankly, for the quarterback that's what you want. I think he's done a great job so far, and I think he's had a positive attitude."