Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer makes major statement on QB battle ahead of the 2025 NCAAF season

Kalen DeBoer has once again been tapped to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide from the sidelines in the NCAAF. The key question facing the veteran head coach now is who will step up as the successor to Jalen Milroe, who is now playing in the NFL.

While the coaching staff is currently weighing three potential options to take over as the starting quarterback in Week 1, Coach DeBoer has yet to name a definitive starter. However, he did praise the work put in by Ty Simpson.

“Ty continues to, I think, trend upward,” HC DeBoer said during the Tide’s post-spring press conference. “I think all of them have really added to their game. They’re all at different spots because Keelon’s learning the system. The other two know it better, for sure. And Ty has been around and just has done a nice job. I think the trending upward is a big piece of it. Ty is an accurate thrower.

“There’s always gonna be balls that every guy wants back, but I think the ability to learn from your mistakes, learn from other people’s mistakes, be able to comprehend, not be overwhelmed, I think that he’s just had more time. But they’re all doing a lot of really good things together as a group.”

Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks loose for a long run during the second half against Chattanooga Mocs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

As of now, DeBoer and his staff have three candidates competing for the starting QB job at Bama when the season kicks off: Ty Simpson, freshman Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack.

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The decision on the starting quarterback has yet to be made

While many anticipate that Ty Simpson could emerge as Alabama’s next starting quarterback thanks to his experience over three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Coach DeBoer confirmed that it’s still too early to make any final decisions on the matter.

“Now, I will say, we’re not where we need to be at the quarterback position yet,” DeBoer said. “And so I feel like that exists within our team, to have that level be accomplished, but this is part of the process. I shared with our team, we’re not where we need to be as a team. I hope we don’t ever think that.

“It’s never been that case everywhere I’ve been, any year I’ve been a part of to where you finish spring ball in April and you’re like, ‘OK, we’re good to go.’ People ask, ‘Are you ready for the season?’ No, I’m not. We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and August, and I think that’s the case, I think, with the quarterback position.”