It’s a simple question and one Lanett coach Clifford Story has surely heard before: What position will his son – Alabama commit Kristian Story – play in college?

“I think he’s going to play quarterback,” Clifford Story said.

If only it were so simple.

There’s plenty of reason to project Kristian, 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, as a college quarterback. He set AHSAA career records for total offense and touchdowns accounted for this season, breaking records set by 2018 Mr. Football Bo Nix.

He’s quarterbacked Lanett to a perfect record and has the Panthers (13-0) in Thursday’s Class 1A championship game against Mars Hill at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. He also quarterbacked the Panthers to a 2A state title in 2017. He’s thrown for nearly 9,000 yards and more than 110 touchdowns in his Lanett career.

Like most small-school players, though, Story has played both ways for his entire high school career. He also has 28 career interceptions as defensive back.

National recruiting services list him as an athlete, showcasing the uncertainty of his final position in college. Kristian’s blend of size, speed and versatility means he could play quarterback, receiver or defensive back in college.

“When you’re going to that level, everybody always talks about measureables,” Clifford Story said. “From his measureables, people say, ‘You’re a first-round safety.’ He’s 6-1, 6-2, 210 pounds, runs a 4.5. So, people automatically assume he’s going to play safety.”

There’s also the complicating factor that 5-star Bryce Young, a 5-star quarterback from national powerhouse Mater Dei (Calif.), headlines Alabama’s list of 2020 commitments. Young threw for more than 4,500 yards passing and 58 touchdown passes while also running for 10 touchdowns this season.

Alabama also signed two 4-star quarterbacks last season – Thompson’s Taulia Tagovailoa and Hewitt-Trussville’s Paul Tyson – and has Mac Jones returning next season. Most analysts expect Tua Tagovailoa to leave for the NFL, despite his season-ending hip injury.

Young is now ranked among the nation’s top 10 overall prospects, and many analysts expect him to push to be Alabama’s starter next season.

Alabama is also expected to lose receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs to the NFL, too, so Kristian Story’s pathway to playing time could be faster at a position other than quarterback.

Clifford Story, though, said the Alabama coaches want to give Kristian a shot at playing quarterback before exploring other options.

“I told him, ‘Son, look at it like this: You’ve never been truly trained as a quarterback,’” the elder Story said. “Just think if he really gets in the quarterback room and really learns the ins and outs of playing quarterback.”