Alabama football will finalize its quarterback battle closer to the start of the 2025 season. One thing Kalen DeBoer won’t be doing: operating a two-QB system.
Asked if that was a possibility Thursday, during a speaking engagement in Mobile, DeBoer threw cold water on the idea.
“I think it’s a lot easier to just have one out there, be in a rhythm,” DeBoer said. “There’s been times where I’ve started seasons doing that, and we’ve gotten through it. I can think two or three in particular, where you went four or five games, but that’s not really our mindset right now. I think when we get to the fall, we want to be settled in, and I think that helps just all around with leadership. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Ty Simpson currently leads the quarterback battle, according to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who revealed the news following the end of spring practice. Simpson is the most experienced member of the QB group as a redshirt junior, and served as the Crimson Tide’s primary backup for the past two years.
The other veteran looking to earn the job is Austin Mack. Mack is a redshirt sophomore, who followed DeBoer from Washington ahead of the 2024 season.
Ty Simpson currently leads the quarterback battle, according to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who revealed the news following the end of spring practice. Simpson is the most experienced member of the QB group as a redshirt junior, and served as the Crimson Tide’s primary backup for the past two years.
The other veteran looking to earn the job is Austin Mack. Mack is a redshirt sophomore, who followed DeBoer from Washington ahead of the 2024 season.
Finally, there’s Keelon Russell, a true freshman. Russell was a five-star prospect out of Duncanville, in Texas, and was named Elite 11 MVP before arriving in Tuscaloosa.
DeBoer praised all three QBs in the battle, but said there was nothing that would lead him to believe that a two-quarterback system was needed.
“I just think that most of the quarterbacks we have, all three quarterbacks we have, are all very similar,” DeBoer said Thursday. “Maybe if you had one that was completely different than the other, you have packages and so forth. But I don’t think that’s the case for us.”
With the transfer portal open for business, any of the Crimson Tide passers could opt to enter. DeBoer said after spring practice that he was hopeful UA could hold onto all three signal callers.
On Thursday, he was asked specifically about Mack. His answer did not suggest that the sophomore was likely to be leaving.
“All three quarterbacks need to continue to get better here this summer,’ DeBoer said. “And Austin will be exactly that. He knows that. He’s gonna do that till the last day. He steps on the football field because that’s just who he is.
“He’s one of the hardest workers on the football team. And so, I don’t ever have to question whether that’s gonna happen. He’s got extreme arm talent. And just he, along with those other guys in that room, know we’re gonna have a great competitive and a healthy summer of working together, but also competing for that spot.”
