3 burning questions for Alabama football heading into SEC Media Days

Ty Simpson is the frontrunner entering preseason camp at quarterback. That much has been made clear by the coaching staff. But will we get an answer soon on if he will be the starter against Florida State? Maybe. Maybe not.

Past history says no. DeBoer didn’t name Michael Penix Jr. the starter at Washington until 10 days before the first game. DeBoer didn’t name Jake Haener the starter at Fresno State until four days before the first game.

That indicates the answer is going to take several weeks, but could DeBoer depart from that path with the Alabama quarterback decision? Time will tell. But no official decision has been announced publicly heading into media days.

Can the pass rush be elite?

Alabama brings back most of its defense from a season ago, a group that finished 10th in the nation in points per game allowed (17.4).

It’s not a big leap to think the defense can take an even bigger step forward in 2025. But the pass rush lacked at times in 2024. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack often had to get creative to dial up pressure in his first season running the defense. Alabama finished with 25 sacks, nowhere near the top 10 in college football. Boise State tallied the most with 55. Sacks aren’t everything, but it’s still a stat worth improving for Alabama.

LT Overton figures to be the top pass rusher. He was a season ago. Overton taking the next step in his game (and getting sacks) could go a long way in improving the pass rush. But Alabama will need someone to pair with him so offenses can’t focus on blocking only Overton.

Qua Russaw has the potential to be that guy opposite Overton creating havoc for offenses. Or perhaps, someone else can step up.

Either way, Alabama needs players chasing the quarterback to step up in 2025. That will be the difference in another good defense and an elite one.

Can Ryan Williams take the next step in his game?

Williams is an exceptional talent. He proved that against Georgia. But he never had another 100-yard game again the rest of the season. Quarterback play impacted Williams some no doubt, but the freshman receiver from Saraland didn’t have the same impact the rest of the season as he did against the Bulldogs.

If Williams can continue to improve and sustain playing at a high-level, it can make a big difference for the offense.

But focus will be key. Williams has always, and will always, have all kinds of attention and eyeballs on him. Such is the nature of being on the cover of EA College Football 26 video game after only his freshman season. He has shown to be mature beyond his years, but even people much older than 18 would struggle balancing all of the attention and NIL deals with taking care of business on the football field. Williams will need to make sure to have elite focus on his work related to football in order to grow into the player he can become.