Alabama alumni and SEC college football analyst Greg McElroy recently spoke about the upcoming Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback competition. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack ,and Keelon Russell round out the three quarterbacks vying for the No. 1 spot.
Greg McElroy Claims Alabama’s QB Depth Chart Is Set With Ty Simpson as QB1
There’s still plenty of time before Alabama meets the Florida Gators on August 30th in the season opener. However, Simpson already has emerged as the favorite to win the starting job. The former Alabama quarterback, McElroy, recently spoke about all of this and more on Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman’s “Always College Football” podcast.
“Right now, based on my understanding of what’s going on in Tuscaloosa, is that Ty has had a solid camp, McElroy said. ”He is in firm control of the No. 1 job so far that the other two, between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, those are the ones that are kind of competing for that No. 2 spot right now.”
“They’re having to be very diligent with how they’re spreading reps, with how they’re creating competition amongst all three guys, keeping all three involved. But I am still of the belief that Ty Simpson is the guy to beat.”
— @GregMcElroy on the Alabama QB competition pic.twitter.com/VTY8X67hwq
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) April 3, 2025
Simpson has been with Alabama the longest since he arrived in 2022. Mack transferred to Alabama ahead of the 2024 season, and Russell is a five-star freshman whose potential is astronomical. Both Russell and Mack have what it takes to be the starter, but it seems like it’s truly Simpson’s job to lose.
“Once we get into the summer, maybe that competition is extended,” McElroy said. “Maybe one of those guys makes a leap and makes this thing super competitive down the stretch. I don’t think we’re going to have an answer anytime soon.”
“They’re having to be very diligent with how they’re spreading reps, with how they’re creating competition amongst all three guys, keeping all three involved. But I am still of the belief that Ty Simpson is the guy to beat.”
“For fear that the fact there’s only three guys right now on scholarship, you lose one of the other two guys, now you’re down to two and you’re back in the portal for a guy who doesn’t have a great feel for the system,” McElroy said. “If I were in charge of this quarterback competition, this thing is going all the way to Week 1. As long as I can potentially string it out, I would string it out.”
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Alabama’s spring practices are coming to an end, as it will conclude with A-Day being on April 12th. There’s still plenty of time before Alabama names a starter, but according to McElroy, Simpson is the favorite to be named the next Alabama starting quarterback.
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