With Alabama’s star QB Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the Crimson Tide are deep in the trenches of figuring out who’ll take over the most scrutinised job in college football. There are three names on the list as of now. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell are all in the hunt.
If the Crimson Tide fans thought this might be set in stone by spring, well, sorry to disappoint. The battle is still on. Head coach Kalen DeBoer, still walking in the long shadow of Nick Saban. And that’s perhaps one of the reasons he is taking his time with the decision. What exactly does DeBoer expect from his QB? And why is it taking this long?
Kalen DeBoer Just Revealed What He Really Wants From Alabama’s Next QB
Kalen DeBoer was on the latest episode of the “Always College Football” podcast with ESPN’s Greg McElroy. In the episode, the Alabama head coach gave fans a rare peek behind the curtain. DeBoer went so far as to tell the world exactly what he’s looking for in Jalen Milroe’s successor. And no, DeBoer is not just looking for arm strength.
“All three quarterbacks we have do have the ability to extend plays,” DeBoer said. He went on to stress how mobility is not simply an additive but an absolute necessity. “Ty was a great dual threat, and Keelon has the same abilities… probably faster than most people think,” added DeBoer. And what about Austin Mack?
Well, at 6’6″, Mack is no pocket statue. As Kalen DeBoer puts it, “Once he gets moving, he covers a lot of ground.” But what makes this group unique is their collective similarity! Unlike last year, where Milroe’s explosiveness was a singular weapon that dictated play-calling, this trio shares more overlapping traits.
This means that the playbook won’t need a dramatic overhaul depending on who comes out on top once the QB battle ends. But at the same time, as DeBoer rightly put it, “Jaylen, as far as explosiveness, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
Right now, Ty Simpson appears to be the frontrunner. The redshirt sophomore has been waiting in the wings for the right time and knows the system better than anyone.
Though he’s only thrown 39 career passes without a touchdown, he is a promising gamble. Simpson is more mobile than most realise and has shown serious growth this spring, especially in terms of commanding the huddle.
And Kalen DeBoer sees it too. In fact, he even went on to say, “They are finding their ways to lead in their own way… that’s probably the hardest thing when you have a quarterback battle.” But make no mistake, that does not mean DeBoer will be handing the keys to Simpson just yet.
Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington, is still raw, but he brings along intrigue. The California native has the size, arm, and now the system familiarity, thanks to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Mack ran with the first team during spring practice and has shown promise. Although there have been whispers of potential transfer interest, Mack is definitely still in the race.
Then there’s Keelon Russell, aka the wildcard. Russell is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2025. The freshman has been drawing some great reviews from within the program. “He’s probably faster than most people think,” Kalen DeBoer said.
While the speed is there, the challenge is also very real. Starting as a freshman in the SEC isn’t easy. Still, it wouldn’t be the first time Alabama rolled the dice. In 2016, they took a big chance with Jalen Hurts. So it wouldn’t be entirely surprising. But that’s not DeBoer’s biggest concern.
Kalen DeBoer’s biggest concern isn’t just about who wins the job; it’s about what kind of leader that person becomes.
“They need to speak up,” he said. “That’s when you really find out who the guys are that the rest of the team follows—not just based on the plays on the field, but who they are as leaders.” In simple words, don’t just move the chains, move the locker room.
And with the August 30th opener against Florida State right around the corner, there is still some time for someone to break away from the pack.
But don’t be surprised if this decision drags into fall camp or even early season. Alabama’s QB race is more of a marathon at this point. And Kalen DeBoer seems to be pacing it perfectly.
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