Since Kalen Deboer was appointed, he has always been under immense pressure to succeed, and he’s always in the spotlight due to the large shadow cast by his predecessor, the legendary Nick Saban. Saban’s accomplishments mean that lofty expectations are naturally set for Deboer.
As Deboer prepares to start his second year at Tuscaloosa, the major topic of this off-season is about who’s going to replace Jalen Milroe as quarterback. Milroe has been drafted to the NFL and Alabama now need a signal caller ahead of the new season.
DeBoer Talks Year 2 Growth, Trust in Ryan Grubb, And Who’s Leading Alabama’s QB Battle
Kalen Deboer appeared on an SEC centered podcast, “The Next Round” and he spoke about his relationship with offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb and who’s going to start at quarterback next season.
Speaking on his preparation and expectations for the new season, Deboer said:
“I think your antennas are always up when you’re in my spot trying to have a pulse of everything that’s going on but probably the people do feel more comfortable at the coaching staff, understanding especially the new guys that joined me. What the phases are all about, kind of what we expect, what the summer months are going to be, the recruiting weekends and what we are trying to accomplish. I think there’s an efficiency at which we operate.”
Ryan Grubb had been working with Deboer since 2007 but he spent last year with Seattle Seahawks and is now back at Alabama, he’ll be working with Nick Sheridan who took over as OC in Grubbs’s absence. DeBoer mentioned that both of them will work together to bring success to Alabama Crimson Tide.
“You got two top-level quarterback coaches, coordinators, and having them in the same room,” said Deboer. It’s been great having Nick bring information to Ryan Grubb…and Ryan just putting his stamp on it,” Deboer added.
When asked about Alabama’s starting quarterback battle and if he’s 100% confident about Ty Simpson starting in Week 1 against Florida State, Deboer spoke plainly about the team’s approach to its quarterback situation.
“We’ll continue to let those guys compete through fall camp. … If we played a game today, Ty (Simpson) has made a lot of progress in the 15 practices we had there,” said DeBoer.
“We also want to give those other guys an opportunity to keep pushing and competing for the spot. As a whole group, I want to word it carefully, the whole group still needs to be better for us to accomplish what we need to, including in Week 1 against Florida State. I’m pleased with how they’ve made strides, starting with Ty, I’m pleased with what he’s doing. They all need to keep taking those steps forward in the weeks ahead.”
KEEP READING: Alabama OC Ryan Grubb’s Arrival Aiming To Shift Narrative Against Florida State Week 1
It appears Simpson is leading the race to be Milroe’s successor for now. Alabama will face off against Florida State in Week 1 on Saturday, Aug. 30.
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