What an Alabama offensive lineman thinks of Tide’s quarterback battle

Alabama football offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark doesn’t change his approach depending who is playing quarterback behind him.

“I’m just trying to block the 330-pound guy that’s trying to run through my face,” VanDeMark said Tuesday in Tuscaloosa.

VanDeMark and the rest of the Crimson Tide are waiting out a resolution in the team’s quarterback battle, one that is unlikely to be settled during spring football. The contenders are returnees Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, along with five-star true freshman Keelon Russell.

According to VanDeMark, he doesn’t have a preference.

“I like all three guys, man,” he said. “They’re all really good people and I just look forward to being with them.”

Simpson has been in Tuscaloosa the longest of the three. He joined up under Nick Saban in the 2022 recruiting class, and has been Alabama’s primary backup behind Jalen Milroe for the past two seasons.

Mack followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington last season. His primary recruiter to UW out of high school was new Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

According to VanDeMark, Simpson and Mack’s experience has shown in spring ball.

“For Ty, I just think it’s his veteran aspect,” VanDeMark said of what stuck out so far from the redshirt junior. “That he’s just kind of, he’s relaxed out there. So is Mack ,too, you can just tell it’s not really getting to him in terms of getting all nervous or anything.

On the other side of the ball, defensive back Zabien Brown offered a similar assessment of Simpson.

“Ty, he’s a great leader,” Brown said. “Ty’s great vocally and Ty’s a great overall leader.”

Alongside the two veterans, Russell has turned heads already in his first spring practices with his ability as a freshman. He was initially committed to SMU, before flipping to Alabama shortly ahead of winning MVP at the Elite 11 competition.

VanDeMark said he was impressed with how the Texas native has handled himself so far.

“”I think he throws a really pretty football,” VanDeMark said. “He’s going about it the right way as a young guy with confidence, yes, but not arrogance, and I think he’s doing some really good things.”

Alabama is scheduled to continue spring football through April 12, when it will play the annual A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day will not be televised this year, but admission to the stadium will be free.