Kalen DeBoer gives update on Alabama QB battle at SEC Media Days
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Kalen DeBoer his conducting his first quarterback battle as the head coach at Alabama this offseason.
After spring camp ended, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb both said Ty Simpson would be the starter if the Tide had a game that week. Now on the cusp of fall camp, DeBoer reiterated that point at SEC Media Days on Wednesday morning.
“Ty throws a catchable ball, he’s smart, he’s been in college football now going on year four,” Kalen DeBoer said. “He’s really owned things, I think, on another level.”
However, DeBoer’s comments seem to imply an open door for either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell to make a run at the starting job during fall camp. Mack has elite size at 6-foot-6 and is entering his third year in the system. Russell is a 5-star freshman who enrolled back in January and could be the future of this position for Alabama regardless of whether or not he wins the starting job on Day 1.
Whoever wins the starting job will have to replace Jalen Milroe, who is now in the NFL. Milroe had a big season as a runner last year but his passing efficiency took a step backwards. Alabama will be hoping to get more out of its passing offense in 2025.
Alabama will begin the 2025 season against Florida State on Aug. 30.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
