PHOENIX — Jake Coker’s career was coming to a close and he still was waiting for it to begin.
The opportunities that once seemed endless had whittled down to one last chance, a highly recruited quarterback afraid he may never do what once seemed like a certainty.
Entering his final season at Alabama, another quarterback competition began.
“If it didn’t happen, it wasn’t going to happen,” Coker said. “I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and I just wanted to get the job done so bad. It was more so the never having a chance to play. That’s what really got to me.
“You either prove yourself or not.”
After three years on the sideline spent watching and wondering, Coker has the opportunity he’s always imagined, starting for his childhood team in Monday’s national championship game against Clemson.
“I’ve put everything I could into this season, and it means a lot more to me because it’s my only one,” Coker said. “I think it made me a lot better, a lot stronger, the things I’ve been through. It’s pretty special.”
Coker already has a national title ring sitting in his home in Mobile, Ala., earned as an injured backup on Florida State’s 2013 championship team. After playing behind EJ Manuel as a redshirt freshman, Coker narrowly lost a quarterback competition to eventual Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, then watched the Seminoles beat Auburn with a pair of crutches in his hands.
When he transferred to Alabama after the season, Coker was expected to take the torch from high-school teammate AJ McCarron, but Coker lost another individual battle, this time to Blake Sims.
Even after winning the job this season, Coker almost lost it, throwing six interceptions in his first six games and being replaced by sophomore Cooper Bateman against Ole Miss. But Coker won over the team in the final eight games, completing over 73 percent of his passes, while throwing eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
In the playoff semifinal win over Michigan State, Coker played his best game, completing 25-of-30 passes for a season-high 286 yards and two touchdowns.
“He had to earn the trust of other people, earn their respect,” Alabama center Ryan Kelly said. “He never pushed for it. … As much success as he’s had on the field, he’s also grown so much off the field with the leadership. Everybody trusts him.”
Coker earned it, setting himself up for the only opportunity that ever really mattered.
“It’s been a dream of mine growing up, playing in the backyard in that situation, wanting to win a national championship at Alabama,” he said.