Saraland quarterback Jamison Roberts just shrugs at the mention that he faces added pressure in following 2024 Mr. Football winner KJ Lacey.

“There is no pressure,” he said recently. “I just have to go out there and do my job and try to help us win.”

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior did just that last season when Lacey, who signed with Texas, was out with injury.

Roberts led the Spartans to Class 6A, Region 1 wins over McGill-Toolen and Baldwin County before Lacey returned. Saraland ultimately lost to Parker in the Class 6A title game.

“I know this will be his first full-time year as a starter, but it doesn’t seem that way to me in how he’s playing and how he is communicating to the other guys,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “He’s a great student of the game like KJ was. He has the ability to extend plays and move and really threaten you with his legs like KJ did. He’s very accurate. He’s going to get better and better as he gets experience. The only thing he is lacking right now is just an extended period of time in the saddle, making those calls, making big throws with pressure on him.”

Roberts completed 71 percent of his passes in limited varsity playing time as a sophomore, throwing for 492 yards and 8 TDs. He was not intercepted.

“I primarily played on JV last year but to get a taste of varsity and know what it’s going to be like and not have my first game be a really big game against Jackson? I feel like that is really going to help me and help calm my nerves because I know I can compete on a high level,” Roberts said. “I know what I can do and know my God-given abilities.”

The Spartans, who have played in the last three Class 6A title games, play at reigning 4A champ Jackson to open the 2025 season Aug. 22. Saraland beat the Aggies 35-27 in last year’s season opener.

“Jamison, to have a small amount of experience, has a unique gift and understanding of how to play the position,” Kelly said. “He’s worked really hard to be ready. I think that showed last year when he was thrust into some big games for us. We needed him to play well, and he was able to do that. He’s really fun to coach because he’s such a great student of the game, and he’s competitive.”

The Spartans will have some key holes to fill on offense, including at running back with the departure of Santae McWilliams and at wide receiver without All-State standout CD Gill. However, Roberts will have a key returning weapon in receiver DeShawn Spencer, who likes what he sees in his new QB.

“He’s a little funny sometimes, but he’s a great leader,” Spencer said, jokingly. “He is going to really lead our team this year. Those two games when KJ went down last year he really stepped up and made a big impact, and you could see a glimpse of what he could do and what he could bring to the table. I’m excited to see him play this year and ball out.”

Kelly said the Saraland offense will look different this fall but not necessarily because Roberts is taking the snaps instead of Lacey.

“We will look different because we want to blow it up every year and start over and try to build offense around the strength of our players,” he said. “We will do some things differently, but it’s not necessarily because of him. It’s because our players on that side of the ball are different. That’s the fun part: finding out what we can do well and finding more diverse ways to do those things. It’s a process. It starts in spring and goes to this summer in practice and in 7-on-7. We’ll learn a lot about our players and our coaching staff.”

Roberts said he learned a lot from watching Lacey. He said he’s been working on his footwork in the offseason and trying to learn how defenses might want to attack Saraland and how he needs to respond in those situations.

Roberts is already on the radar of college recruiters, having received offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, North Alabama and South Alabama. He is scheduled to be at the University of Alabama prospect camp today.