Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has a history with elite quarterback play. He built his teams around Jake Haener at Fresno State, Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, and Jalen Milroe in his first year at Alabama.
Now, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell will duke it out in Tuscaloosa to replace Milroe, with a starter expected to be announced in mid-August before the team’s Aug. 30 matchup with Florida State.
How Kalen DeBoer Plans To Replace Jalen Milroe
No matter who wins the competition, DeBoer will have to adjust the offense around them. On “Always College Football” with Greg McElroy, he explained the plan to make the most of whoever wins.
“I think all three quarterbacks we have do have the ability to extend plays,” DeBoer said. “You know, what they’re doing as far as moving the chains, using their legs to keep plays alive.
“Austin Mack, even as big as he is, once he gets moving, he covers a lot of ground. Ty [Simpson] was a great dual-threat. Keelon [Russell] has the same abilities to make people miss and probably is faster than most people think. But I think we’re more similar as a group.
“The diversity of who we have, as far as skill sets and how different they were and how you wanted to use them — you know, Jalen [Milroe], as far as explosiveness, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it with a quarterback that could use his legs, or had that luxury in that fashion. You have to make sure you’re utilizing the skill sets of your players.
“Jalen certainly had a — I referred to it as a superpower, that we had to make sure we had incorporated into our plan.”
The quarterback competition won’t be easy. Simpson is entering year four in Tuscaloosa and has been the backup for two years. Mack is a former four-star recruit, following DeBoer from Washington, and Russell is a five-star freshman ranked the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 cycle by On3.
KEEP READING: Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer Reveals Why New Offensive Duo Could Change Everything in 2025
No matter who wins, the expectations will be through the roof. The team made the four-team playoff eight out of the last 10 seasons under Saban. 2024’s ReliaQuest Bowl appearance was just the second time they didn’t make a New Year’s Six Bowl or Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game since 2011.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
