For the past two years, Alabama’s offensive identity revolved around QB Jalen Milroe’s athleticism. With Milroe now in the NFL, the Crimson Tide must pivot. The quarterback competition features Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell as potential starters.
Following a 2024 campaign that didn’t meet Alabama’s championship standards, HC Kalen DeBoer is focused on reshaping the offense. A returning Ryan Grubb at offensive coordinator and the emergence of Simpson have DeBoer confident in a new direction.
Believing this fresh duo can lead the charge, DeBoer is betting on a retooled attack to reestablish Alabama’s dominance in 2025.
Kalen DeBoer Says Ryan Grubb’s Return Brings Trust, Balance, and a Game-Changing Edge to Alabama
Following a season that failed to meet Alabama’s national title expectations, head coach Kalen DeBoer is leaning on a trusted offensive partnership to guide the Crimson Tide back to the top.
The return of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who was on his staff at Washington, and the emergence of QB Ty Simpson are at the center of what DeBoer believes will be a transformative year for Alabama football in 2025.
“Yeah, I think there is a balance,” DeBoer said in an appearance on the “Always College Football” podcast with analyst and former ‘Bama QB Greg McElroy. “There’s a trust that I have with him.”
DeBoer emphasized how years of working alongside Grubb have allowed them to “complete each other’s sentences” in key moments. He explained that their long-standing rapport allows them to operate in sync.
“I’ve had times where… we said the exact same thing almost the exact same way,” he said.
Grubb’s integration into Alabama’s staff has been accelerated by his existing relationships with assistant coaches like Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard.
“That’s an integral kind of threesome right there that just, you know, have been together for a few years and… speak the same language as well,” DeBoer said.
The quarterback position remains a competition, but Simpson emerged from spring as the frontrunner after backing up Jalen Milroe the past two seasons. DeBoer praised Simpson’s development, saying,
“We feel really good about Ty’s progress.” Still, the battle includes sophomore Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell. All three quarterbacks, DeBoer noted.
“Jaylen Milroe was super dynamic with the ball in his hands,” DeBoer said. “Quarterback run was a heavy part of what you guys wanted to be, especially in the red zone and in short-yard situations.”
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The offensive strategy this fall will pivot, shaped more by pocket presence and passing rhythm than quarterback-designed runs.
“We are more similar as a group… than maybe the diversity of who we had as far as skill sets,” he explained.
With the opener against Florida State on August 30, DeBoer aims to name a starter “a week-and-a-half” before kickoff.
As Alabama prepares for a new era, DeBoer is banking on familiarity and adaptability to restore the Crimson Tide’s offensive identity—and perhaps reshape the SEC in the process.
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