Blake Barnett has the hype, being the only five-star prospect on Alabama’s roster at the position, but that does not matter at the college level. Still, at times, the redshirt freshman has shown that five-star ability and is very much in the thick of the quarterback race, as third-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin pointed out in his only availability of the season.

“When Blake first got here he was performing extremely well, and really, there were times when he was really in the battle to be the guy,” Kiffin said of Barnett. “And, like normal, you’re a freshman, up and down through some practices, and then, too, I think he would tell you, he didn’t have his best spring. He really had a great offseason.

“… He’s bigger, he’s stronger than he’s been. These first two days (of fall camp) he’s looked really good, really strong, very quick feet, really growing in the offense. We’re very excited about him.”

Barnett has an accurate arm and arm strength, two things on the must-have list for a starting quarterback, but he can also make plays with his legs. That is the new norm for the players behind center for the Crimson Tide, and he certainly fits that bill. Not only that, he has the intelligence to absorb the playbook and successfully operate the offense.

One of the questions surrounding Barnett was his weight, but the California native addressed that in the offseason, growing to 211 pounds -- and even more than that -- by working in the weight room and the dinner table.

The only question with him is can he play at a consistent level to win the job this time around. As Kiffin said, the second-year gunslinger was in the running a season ago but was outlasted by older players and did not get the chance to become the first true freshman starter under Nick Saban. Can he play enough sound football to win the race this year?

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Height, weight: 6-5, 211

Alabama stats: N/A

Position in Tide’s QB line: Second

The case for: He has one year in the program and at least two years left if he is given the reigns of the offense. With a strong arm and mind, Barnett has a high ceiling that could grow taller if he can take care of the football this fall.

The case against: Barnett has made some newcomer mistakes on the field, and one of the core attributes an Alabama quarterback must display is the ability to keep the ball moving forward and not in the hands of the defense.

Barnett will win the job if: 1. He can play with confidence and mistake-free football. 2. He wins over the locker room in the ongoing fall camp practices and scrimmages. 3. He can continue to add good weight to his 211-pound frame.