New Era Under Center: Kalen DeBoer Breaks Down Alabama’s Fierce Quarterback Battle
As the crimson tide of change washes over Tuscaloosa, one of the most pressing questions facing the Alabama football program in 2025 centers on its most important position: quarterback. With Jalen Milroe declaring for the NFL Draft after leading the Crimson Tide through an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer has inherited both a golden opportunity and a monumental challenge — finding the next great Alabama signal-caller.
The quarterback room at Alabama is as competitive as ever. Featuring a trio of talented yet distinct options in redshirt junior Ty Simpson, Washington transfer Austin Mack, and true freshman phenom Keelon Russell, the spring practice period has quickly turned into a proving ground. And if anyone knows how to engineer an elite quarterback system, it’s DeBoer, who arrives in Tuscaloosa with a reputation built on quarterback development and offensive ingenuity, most recently demonstrated during his playoff run with the Washington Huskies.
Now, as the Crimson Tide faithful watch every practice report and every word from their new head coach, DeBoer has offered his most detailed insight yet into what he’s seeing — and what he expects — from this crucial quarterback competition.
A Battle of Contrasts: The Three-Way QB Race
From the outset, DeBoer made one thing clear: the quarterback job is wide open.
“This is a clean slate,” DeBoer told reporters following Alabama’s third spring practice. “It’s not about what they’ve done before. It’s about how they lead, how they execute, and how they make this team better every single rep.”
That message has been received loud and clear inside the quarterback room, where Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell have each brought different strengths, mindsets, and experiences into the fold.
Ty Simpson: The Experienced Incumbent
The presumed frontrunner coming into spring is Ty Simpson, a redshirt junior who has spent the last two seasons backing up Jalen Milroe. Recruited out of Tennessee as a five-star prospect, Simpson has patiently waited for his moment in a quarterback room that has seen fierce competition year after year.
Simpson appeared in limited action last season, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns across five games. But what stood out to DeBoer early on wasn’t the stat line — it was Simpson’s maturity.
“Ty’s been around the program,” DeBoer said. “He understands what it takes. He’s got command of the offense already, and more importantly, the guys respect him. That goes a long way.”
Physically, Simpson brings a solid mix of athleticism and arm talent. At 6’2” and 200 pounds, he’s agile enough to extend plays but polished enough to work from the pocket. His deep ball has shown noticeable improvement this spring, and he’s taken extra reps with first-team receivers in post-practice sessions.
Where Simpson still has room to grow, according to sources close to the team, is in decisiveness. Under Bill O’Brien and later Tommy Rees, Simpson was used sparingly, and DeBoer’s up-tempo, RPO-heavy scheme places a premium on quick reads and anticipation. That’s an area Simpson is focused on mastering.
Austin Mack: The System Savant
While Simpson may have the edge in SEC experience, Austin Mack holds the advantage of familiarity with DeBoer’s system.
A former four-star recruit from Northern California, Mack originally committed to Washington, where he reclassified to join the 2023 class and redshirted behind Michael Penix Jr. At 6’6” and 225 pounds, Mack is a physical prototype. But what makes him dangerous is his comfort operating DeBoer’s offensive scheme.
“There’s definitely a learning curve for a new team, new receivers, new environment,” Mack said after practice. “But the offense? That’s second nature.”
DeBoer and new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb have praised Mack’s mental processing, and during the Tide’s first full-pad practice, he reportedly looked the most consistent of the three quarterbacks, showing poise in blitz pickup drills and connecting on several intermediate throws with tight ends and slot receivers.
“Having a guy like Austin who knows what we want to do — he’s able to set the tone in film sessions,” Grubb noted. “But he also knows he has to earn everything here. This is Alabama.”
While Mack may not have played a down of SEC football yet, his upside is real — and so is the trust DeBoer has in him. The challenge now is syncing up with Alabama’s faster, more physical receivers and adapting to the SEC’s defensive speed.
Keelon Russell: The Wild Card Freshman
Then there’s Keelon Russell — the blue-chip true freshman from Duncanville, Texas, whose arrival in Tuscaloosa came with plenty of buzz. A five-star dual-threat quarterback, Russell led Duncanville to a 6A state title as a senior and was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class.
Despite his age and inexperience, Russell’s talent has already flashed in practice. One source close to the program described him as “electric” during red zone drills. His footwork, acceleration, and improvisational ability give him a unique edge in a system designed to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically.
DeBoer has publicly praised Russell’s poise.
“For an 18-year-old kid to walk into this room, compete with these guys, and not blink — that tells you something,” DeBoer said. “He’s got a long way to go, but he doesn’t shy away from anything.”
Still, DeBoer and his staff are cautious not to rush the freshman phenom. Russell has been taking third-team reps but was elevated during the team’s first scrimmage due to his standout practice performance.
“Keelon has tools you can’t coach,” Grubb said. “But we also have to be patient. Development takes time, especially in this conference.”
What DeBoer Is Really Looking For
For all the talent in the room, DeBoer has made it abundantly clear that this competition will be settled not by hype or rankings, but by performance — on the field, in the huddle, and off it.
“The quarterback has to be the guy everyone believes in,” DeBoer said. “He’s got to make the right read, put the ball where it needs to go, and bring the juice every single day. We’re evaluating everything — body language, how they respond to adversity, how they lift up their teammates.”
According to insiders, DeBoer has implemented an intensive “situational assessment” drill period where quarterbacks are placed in adverse circumstances — red zone with no timeouts, backed up near their own goal line, or facing a third-and-long blitz package. The staff tracks every decision and measures “leadership under fire.”
“We want to see who elevates the offense when it’s not going well,” Grubb said. “Anyone can throw a pretty deep ball in 7-on-7. We want the guy who throws the best pass after taking a sack or a holding call.”
Locker Room Dynamics and Leadership
Another major factor in the competition is the locker room. Alabama has a veteran-heavy offensive roster, including returning starters on the offensive line and a receiving corps that includes Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice.
One source from within the program noted that Simpson and Mack have split the leadership dynamic thus far — Simpson more vocal during weight room sessions and film breakdowns, while Mack commands more attention during on-field drills due to his confidence in the system.
Russell, for his part, has drawn respect from older players for his humility and hustle.
“Keelon shows up early, stays late. He’s not cocky. He listens, then competes,” said one offensive lineman who asked to remain anonymous. “That earns you trust real fast in this building.”
When Will a Starter Be Named?
DeBoer has resisted putting a specific timeline on naming a starting quarterback. With Alabama’s annual A-Day Spring Game fast approaching, the hope is that more separation will occur in front of a live crowd.
“Would we love to have someone win the job in spring? Sure,” DeBoer said. “But we won’t force it. We’ll take all summer, fall camp — however long it takes to get it right.”
The early indicators suggest this could bleed into fall camp, especially if no one clearly distances themselves in the A-Day game. Simpson’s experience, Mack’s system knowledge, and Russell’s sheer upside make for one of the most balanced — and unpredictable — quarterback competitions in recent Alabama memory.
What’s at Stake
For DeBoer, this decision will define his first season in Tuscaloosa. Replacing a player like Milroe, who accounted for over 3,000 total yards and 28 touchdowns, is no small task. Doing it while installing a new offensive scheme, maintaining playoff expectations, and navigating the toughest conference in football? That’s another level entirely.
But DeBoer didn’t come to Alabama to play it safe. His track record with quarterbacks — from Michael Penix Jr. to Jake Haener to Dylan Morris — proves he knows how to tailor his offense to his personnel.
The key now is choosing the right one.
Final Thoughts
As spring concludes and the summer grind begins, Alabama’s quarterback battle is far from over. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell each bring compelling cases to the table. But the one who wins will be the one who can not only deliver touchdowns — but deliver trust, command, and consistency.
“This is Alabama,” DeBoer said. “There’s pressure here. That’s part of the job. Whoever takes that first snap in September will have earned it — every step of the way.”
For fans of the Crimson Tide, the suspense is just beginning. But for DeBoer and his quarterbacks, the pressure is already at a championship level. And in Tuscaloosa, that’s exactly how it should be.