“Inside the War Room: Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Opens Up About Alabama’s Intense Quarterback Battle”
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – As the spring sun casts its golden hue across Bryant-Denny Stadium, one of college football’s most watched position battles continues to unfold with ferocity, focus, and unrelenting intensity. The Alabama Crimson Tide, ushering in a new era under head coach Kalen DeBoer, is in the midst of a quarterback competition that could define the identity of this storied program in 2025. At the center of it all stands offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, the architect of one of college football’s most explosive offenses at Washington and now tasked with orchestrating Alabama’s next great signal-caller.
With Jalen Milroe’s departure to the NFL, the quarterback room is brimming with talent but lacking in clear hierarchy. As spring camp reaches its crescendo, Grubb provided an in-depth update on where things stand, how each candidate is progressing, and what it will take to lead the Tide this fall.
The Grubb Philosophy: No Entitlements, Just Execution
“First and foremost,” Grubb said at his post-practice press conference, “we’re not handing anything to anyone. It’s all about what you earn, day in and day out.”
It’s a familiar tune from Grubb, whose success at Washington came by demanding discipline and precision from his quarterbacks. Under his leadership, Michael Penix Jr. transformed into a Heisman finalist, thanks in large part to Grubb’s ability to build a scheme around a quarterback’s strengths while holding him accountable for every throw, every read, and every audible.
Grubb’s approach at Alabama is no different, though the challenge may be greater: four quarterbacks with varying styles and experience levels, all vying for a shot at immortality.
The Candidates: Breaking Down the Four-Way Battle
The Alabama quarterback competition features four main contenders: Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, Austin Mack, and true freshman Julian Sayin. Each brings a different flavor to the offense, and Grubb made it clear no one has separated from the pack — at least not yet.
Ty Simpson – The Veteran Presence
Simpson, a redshirt sophomore and former five-star recruit, is the most experienced of the group. He’s been in the program since 2022 and has taken snaps in pressure situations, including last year’s SEC Championship Game. Known for his athleticism and off-platform throwing ability, Simpson is trying to show he can be the steady, consistent leader Alabama needs.
“Ty has really stepped up in terms of leadership,” Grubb said. “You can tell he’s been around the block. He’s doing a better job with protections and getting us into the right plays. We’re pushing him to be more aggressive downfield.”
Simpson’s experience with former OC Tommy Rees’s system gave him a foundation, but Grubb’s offense demands even more — faster reads, layered progressions, and vertical aggression.
Dylan Lonergan – The Cerebral Assassin
Lonergan, a redshirt freshman, has quietly impressed coaches with his football IQ and deep ball touch. A former baseball standout, his arm strength and poise in the pocket have drawn comparisons to Penix, though he lacks the latter’s game experience.
“Dylan processes at an extremely high level,” Grubb noted. “He’s the guy who’ll stay late and quiz the receivers on their routes. He’s still learning to speed things up, but the mental part? He’s as sharp as they come.”
Lonergan’s upside is intriguing — he could be the best pure passer of the bunch. But whether he can match Simpson’s mobility and in-game decision-making remains to be seen.
Austin Mack – The Dark Horse
Mack, a transfer from Washington, followed DeBoer and Grubb to Tuscaloosa after a short but promising stint in Seattle. Though he didn’t see game action in 2024, the coaches clearly saw something in the former four-star QB to bring him across the country.
“Austin is a gym rat,” Grubb said with a smile. “He knows the offense better than anyone in that room because he’s lived in it for two years. His challenge is adjusting to the SEC — the speed, the defensive looks, the pressure. But he’s coming.”
Mack’s familiarity with Grubb’s offense gives him an edge in installation and terminology, but he’ll have to prove he can execute it against SEC defenses with elite athletes in every position group.
Julian Sayin – The Phenom Freshman
Finally, there’s Julian Sayin — the five-star phenom and early enrollee who brings both hype and high expectations. Sayin has been dazzling in 7-on-7s and closed practices, showing off lightning-fast release mechanics and elite footwork for a freshman.
“He’s the real deal,” Grubb admitted. “But it’s still early. We’re throwing a lot at him, and he’s handling it well, but there’s a big difference between spring ball and facing Georgia in the fourth quarter.”
Sayin may have the highest ceiling of the group, but Alabama is careful not to throw him into the fire before he’s ready. Still, if he continues to progress at this rate, he could be impossible to keep off the field come September.
Grubb’s Vision for the Offense
While the quarterback battle remains unsettled, Grubb is crystal clear on what he wants from his offense — pace, power, and verticality. Unlike the Rees system, which leaned heavily on run-pass balance and conservative reads, Grubb’s playbook thrives on shot plays, tempo shifts, and designed quarterback movement.
“Our identity starts with physicality,” he said. “We want to run the ball effectively, of course, but the QB has to be a difference-maker. This isn’t a system where you can hide your guy. We want him to own the game — mentally and physically.”
That philosophy puts enormous pressure on the quarterbacks to not only master the playbook but also understand defensive tendencies, alignments, and situational football.
“The biggest thing I’m watching,” Grubb explained, “is how they respond under stress. Two-minute drills, third-and-longs, red zone decisions. That’s where the game is won.”
What the Players Are Saying
Each quarterback has kept a tight lid on their personal aspirations publicly, but behind closed doors, the competition has bred camaraderie and focus. Ty Simpson, who many see as the frontrunner, called the competition “the best thing that could’ve happened.”
“We’re making each other better,” Simpson said after a recent scrimmage. “Every rep is a chance to prove yourself. You can’t take a single throw off.”
Julian Sayin, who could easily feel overwhelmed by the stakes, seems undeterred.
“I came here to compete,” he said. “Coach Grubb is tough, but that’s what you want. You want someone who sees your potential and pushes you to reach it.”
Even Mack and Lonergan echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the competitive fire Grubb has instilled as a unifying force.
Spring Game Looms Large
The annual A-Day Game, scheduled for April 20, could be the first major turning point in the quarterback battle. While Grubb and DeBoer have made it clear no final decision will be made in April, the spring game will offer fans and coaches a glimpse of who’s ready to command the offense under the lights.
“Execution is everything,” Grubb said when asked what he’ll be watching for. “You can’t fake confidence out there. I want to see who moves the chains, who handles adversity, who owns the huddle.”
Don’t be surprised if reps are evenly distributed — Grubb values data, and splitting reps ensures each quarterback is evaluated under similar conditions.
Summer and Fall Outlook
After spring camp, the players will enter a crucial self-guided summer period. Voluntary workouts, player-led practices, and hours in the film room will determine who enters fall camp with momentum. By August, Grubb hopes to whittle the competition down to two.
“We’ll probably carry it through the first two weeks of camp before making a call,” he said. “But by Week One, we’ll know who’s running out there with the ones.”
Could Alabama rotate quarterbacks early in the season? Possibly — but Grubb isn’t a fan of musical chairs at the most important position.
“If you have two QBs, you don’t have one,” he quipped. “I want one guy to take this thing and never look back.”
The Stakes Are Monumental
The winner of this quarterback battle won’t just be leading a team — they’ll be inheriting the weight of one of the most demanding fanbases in sports, a national championship standard, and the expectations that come with wearing crimson and white.
Ryan Grubb isn’t shying away from those expectations. He embraces them, knowing the quarterback who emerges from this crucible will have been forged in fire.
“Pressure either breaks you or sharpens you,” he said. “We’re about to find out who can handle the heat.”
Final Thoughts
As Alabama transitions from the Nick Saban era into the bold, aggressive regime of Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb, the quarterback position is at the heart of the transformation. With talent oozing from every corner of the room and one of the most innovative offensive minds in the country calling the shots, the Crimson Tide are poised to unveil a new offensive identity in 2025.
Who will lead the charge? Ty Simpson’s experience, Dylan Lonergan’s mind, Austin Mack’s familiarity, or Julian Sayin’s raw talent?
That answer isn’t here yet — but it’s coming. And when it does, the SEC better be ready. Because under Ryan Grubb, Alabama’s next quarterback won’t just be managing the offense.