College Football is gearing up for a new season — and so are Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide. With Jalen Milroe now off to the NFL, it will be up to the experienced head coach to finally decide who will take over as starting quarterback in Week 1, filling the shoes of the new Seattle Seahawks signal-caller.
It won’t be an easy task — that much is clear. Especially considering the intense competition taking place during camp between the top contenders for the job: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell.
However, DeBoer seems to have gained some clarity regarding the situation. In a recent conversation with the media, the head coach revealed that he’s closer than ever to deciding who will take the field as the starter against Florida State.
“From a timeline … I feel like we’re getting closer,” he said. “I would’ve said before camp, we’ve definitely got to make a decision by the time we get done with the second scrimmage. And I would anticipate, for sure, that being the case. We’ll see how the next few days go.
Quarterback Ty Simpson #15 scrambles during the Alabama Spring Game at Bryant Denny Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“It’s two good showings, I think, especially by Austin and Ty again today. Again, Keelon’s making the progress we’d hoped for. You can see what his ceiling’s going to be. It’s just a matter of more reps.”
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DeBoer’s options at quarterback
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is currently navigating a competitive quarterback battle as the season approaches. The three main contenders for the starting job are Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and true freshman Keelon Russell. While all three have shown promise in their own way, the HC has been deliberate in his evaluation, seeking to find the best fit to lead the Crimson Tide offense.
Ty Simpson, a redshirt junior, is widely considered the frontrunner to be the Week 1 starter. Having served as the primary backup to Jalen Milroe for the past two seasons, Simpson possesses the most experience within the program. While his playing time has been limited, he has shown flashes of his talent.
While Simpson appears to have the edge due to his seniority, both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are still very much in the running. Mack, a redshirt sophomore who followed DeBoer from Washington, brings familiarity with the coach’s system and an impressive physical presence. Russell, a highly-touted true freshman, is a dynamic talent who is quickly learning the playbook.
Alabama’s first challenges of the season
With the ultimate goal of reaching the National Championship Game, these are the first challenges the Crimson Tide will need to overcome as they kick off a new season.
- @ Florida State, August 30th
- vs ULM, September 6th
- vs Wisconsin, September 13th
- @ Georgia, September 27th
- vs Vanderbilt, October 4th
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