2015 could be the year of Jake Coker. Sure, most thought when Coker transferred from Florida State prior to this past college football season the starting quarterback job was his for the taking. Despite the hype he lost that position to soon-to-be record-setting Blake Sims. But Sims is gone, and the man in the catbird's seat is Coker, having taken the majority of the snaps behind Sims as well as running the (insert something here) team to get Alabama's defense ready each week.

     This season it is not Sims with most of the backup experience; it's Coker. Yes, there is talent in the quarterback position with others awaiting should Coker falter. Besides Coker, there is Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris, David Cornwell, and Blake Barnett. But this year the position truly is Coker's to lose. And the return of Lane Kiffen as offensive coordinator should be a plus for him. (Kiffen had been one of the leading contenders for the offensive coordinator position with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.) Coker has an edge in experience as well as knowing somewhat what to expect and what to do in the Kiffen offensive system.

     Being familiar with many of Alabama's receivers should also give Coker a leg up. After all, quarterback and receivers must be attuned to one another which takes practice. At least the current crop of receivers will be familiar to him leaving only the new signees coming to campus this summer. Chris Black, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, and ArDarius Stewart will be Coker's targets during the spring, all of whom have touches provided by the arm of Jake Coker.

     This year Coker is familiar with the system, with the playbook, and with the tendencies of the offensive coordinator, all of which were new to him last season putting him at a disadvantage to the other quarterbacks in the rotation.

     Now it is known the overall 2015 offensive scheme will pretty much be the same one executed week in and week out in 2014. Several of Bama's 2014 receivers are returning. The playbook has been learned. There is now experience in battling for the starting position in the Crimson Tide offense. And during the off season time spent with the offensive coordinator will be a big plus.

     Yes, this  could be the year of Jake Coker. His time to shine. But it is no gimme.