Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is known for his ability to take his team’s to the next level in Year 2 at a school. That’s something fans are desperate to see after the Crimson Tide fell to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish 9-4. Jalen Milroe flashed potential but was far too inconsistent in 2024.
While Milroe’s future is murky, there are several players vying for the starting quarterback job, including a true freshman. Who could lead the Crimson Tide in 2025?
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After a shaky ReliaQuest Bowl performance, Milroe didn’t explicitly say he’s leaving Alabama, but he certainly implied that he’d played his last game in crimson and white. He spoke in past tense about his time at Alabama. It’s a likely sign Milroe, who is nearly finished with his Master’s degree, is moving on.
“I love Coach DeBoer. It’s been an honor to be around him and learn so much football being around him,” Milroe said. “I constantly met with him throughout the season just trying to build and trying to get better each and every day. I love and appreciate him for all that he’s done and how much that he’s poured into me. I just want to give thanks to him.”
While that sounds like a player who has played his last down at Alabama, there’s not much clarity as to whether he’s headed to the transfer portal or the 2025 NFL Draft.
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to assume the Alabama quarterback room will be without Milroe in 2024. But if not him, then who could start for DeBoer’s Crimson Tide? Here, we break down the top internal candidates for the starting quarterback position.
Ty Simpson (Redshirt Junior)
First up: current backup Ty Simpson. Simpson is the most experienced quarterback on the current Alabama roster, as he’s played sparingly in three seasons with the Crimson Tide, throwing for 381 yards on 50 attempts and adding 130 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. His most extensive action was in 2023 against the South Florida Bulls, a game in which he struggled, taking five sacks and completing just five passes.
Simpson was a highly touted recruit in 2022 as the second-ranked quarterback in the class, according to On3’s composite rankings. All four major recruiting services had him in their top four out of Westview High School in Martin, Tenn. He’s likely going to take the majority of the first-team reps to start spring practice.
Keelon Russell (Incoming Freshman)
Six weeks ago, I’d have called superstar recruit Keelon Russell a dark-horse starting candidate in 2025.
Now, I’d call him the sneaky favorite. DeBoer and his staff are ecstatic not just about Russell’s potential, but also his current ability. A consensus five-star quarterback by all the major recruiting services, Russell is the second-ranked recruit regardless of class by On3’s Composite Rankings.
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I’m a huge fan of Russell’s ranking of third in our 2025 quarterback rankings. His upside exceeds his ability to play early, in my opinion, but the Alabama staff loves him. If he can get acclimated (both physically and mentally) to the college game, don’t be surprised if he’s Alabama’s starting quarterback next season.
Alex Mack (Redshirt Freshman)
A consensus four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Austin Mack hasn’t received much playing time in his young collegiate career. However, he followed DeBoer and Nick Sheridan from the Washington Huskies and he’s flashed in extremely limited action, throwing a 31-yard touchdown against Mercer as part of a 2-for-3 day.
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The Folsom, Calif., native left Folsom after a 2022 season in which he threw for 3,498 yards and 40 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Listed a 6’6″, 236 pounds, Mack would be one of the biggest starting quarterbacks in college football.
Cade Carruth (Senior)
A walk-on from Alabama high school powerhouse Hewitt-Trussville, Cade Carruth saw his first action of his three-year career on Nov. 16 against Mercer.
At Hewitt-Trussville, Carruth threw for 44 touchdowns in three years as the starter. He’s unlikely to factor into the starting quarterback battle next season.
John Cooper (Sophomore)
Another in-state walk-on, John Cooper joined the Crimson Tide in 2024 after playing for Mountain Brook High School in the Yellowhammer State.
Like Carruth, he’s a depth option who is unlikely to factor into the starting quarterback equation.
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