The growing buzz surrounding Alabama true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has made its way to Mobile, home of private quarterback coach David Morris, whose client list at QB Country includes former Alabama quarterbacks A.J. McCarron and Jake Coker and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch.

Apparently, Morris has heard enough about Hurts through the quarterback grapevine to think a true freshman lining up behind center for the Crimson Tide this fall isn't out of the question.

"I think some guys can do it and I think he may be one of them," Morris said. "I don't know that kid personally, but everything I've heard is it almost sounds like you're talking about Russell Wilson right now. There are guys out there that are just ball players and they can do it."

While it hasn't been a route taken by Nick Saban in the past, Morris is of the opinion that breaking in a rookie at UA may not be as difficult than at some other places.

"I think at Alabama it may even be easier than others because there is so much talent [around the quarterback]," Morris said. "I think it would be off the charts, but everything I've heard is that kid is off the charts."

If anyone would know about starting as a true freshman in the SEC it would be Morris. He not only had his number called as a first-year player at Ole Miss in 1998, he did it as a walk-on.

"The learning curve is hard, but for me it took a break," Morris said. "I was a second-stringer and the starter at the time, Romaro Miller, got hurt. I think to go in and win [the job outright], especially at a place like [Alabama] would be amazing. But I think there are guys who can handle it."

As for the evaluation process Alabama quarterbacks go through under Saban, in working with Coker, Morris got a glimpse at what is involved in selecting at starter at UA.

"I spoke to [Coker] almost everyday in August [2015], and it was kind of like, 'I think I'm the guy but they're not really putting on much'," Morris recalled. "Then game week he found out he was going to start against Wisconsin. As far as when it clicked for him, I think it clicked early, even against Wisconsin, when he played really well. I think when he really felt like it was his team was after Ole Miss. That second half, when he played at a level when you finally saw that this guy has some special stuff."

"I think he always believed it, but Nick kind of puts his quarterbacks in a situation where you have to prove it everyday. And I think that kind of breeds a winner."

According to Morris, the trick to winning a competition like the one that is taking place at UA for a third straight year is to focus on what is being asked of the quarterback instead of going above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to impress coaches and teammates.

"The play is designed so you can make a play, so just do what the play asks you to do," Morris said. "I think even Jake would tell you that from last year. Early on in the competition, he felt like he had to press when, really, the play is designed a certain way and if you just do your job you're going to impress."

Saturday's scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium will serve as the next mile marker on the road to naming a starting quarterback. For Hurts, Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett, the pressure-packed practice will offer one final chance for the trio to state their cases in a game-like setting.

"Those scrimmages are so big," Morris said. "I've been through it and in the midst of the competition you feel the importance of them. It's also a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately position, especially when you're in a tight competition."