Three Former Crimson Tide Signal-Callers Set for A-Day QB Challenge

The halftime entertainment at the 2016 Golden Flake A-Day Game will feature a Quarterback Challenge with former Alabama signal-callers Jake Coker, Blake Sims and John Parker Wilson. The Golden Flake A-Day Game is scheduled to kickoff at 2 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN with Kirk Herbstreit, Joe Tessitore and Joey Galloway calling the action.

The trio of quarterbacks will square off against one another in a skills competition that will include nine throws from various distances to moving targets that will be assigned points followed by final throw for distance that will be awarded two points for every yard it travels. The competitor with the most points at the conclusion will be named the winner.

Jake Coker wrapped up his career with the Crimson Tide a perfect 14-0 record as the starting quarterback, leading Alabama to its 16th national championship. A native of Mobile, Ala., Coker performed best on the biggest stage, passing for 621 yards and four touchdowns during the College Football Playoffs and earning Offensive MVP honors in the Cotton Bowl. He finished the 2015 season with 3,110 yards passing, the second most in a single season in school history.

Blake Sims put together a season for the record books as the Crimson Tide’s starter in 2014, passing for a single-season school record 3,487 yards. The second-team All-SEC selection also set the single-season mark for total touchdowns with 35, passing for 28 scores while recording seven touchdowns on the ground. Sims was named MVP of the 2014 SEC Championship Game after completing 23-of-27 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns in Alabama’s 42-13 victory over Missouri.

John Parker Wilson was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide from 2006-2008 and one of the most prolific passers in school history. A native of Hoover, Ala., Wilson led UA to the 2009 Sugar Bowl after beginning the season with a 12-0 record and guiding the Tide to the SEC Western division title. He finished his time at the Capstone among the Alabama career leaders in pass attempts, completions, passing yardage, touchdown passes and all-purpose yards.

It will be the program’s 10th A-Day Game under the direction of five-time national championship coach Nick Saban. The A-Day Game is the 15th and final practice of the spring. Gates open at 11 a.m. and admission will once again be free to the public. There will also be an Alumni Flag Football Game inside Bryant-Denny Stadium at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Captains Ceremony at Denny Chimes at 12:15 p.m.