Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, at the end of spring practice, named Ty Simpson the starting quarterback if the season started then. However, the season opener at Florida State on August 30 is still months away, and the quarterback battle is far from over, according to head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Prior to teeing off at the Regions Tradition pro-am on Wednesday, DeBoer weighed in on the state of the quarterback battle.
"The competition always continues," DeBoer declared. "That's this year. That's any year.”
At the end of spring, Simpson had emerged as the favorite with Washington transfer Austin Mack in his second year with the Crimson Tide taking snaps with the second team. Closely behind is true freshman and five-star prospect Keelon Russell, who, by most recruiting experts, is considered the No. 1 overall player and quarterback in this year’s recruiting class.
With the competition expected to heat up over the final few months before the season opener, DeBoer expects the trio of quarterbacks to work hard to keep improving so that not only they but the team can achieve their goals.
“I think the biggest thing for them, the message is that they all got to keep it better,” DeBoer said. “For us to accomplish what we want to do as a team, and of course, being quarterback-driven in a lot of ways, personnel-driven too, but the quarterback position needs to keep progressing. So this summer, fall camp, they all got to keep getting better. And that's their mindset. They're great kids, and they understand that they have high goals for themselves, individually and also our whole team."
Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron was participating in the Regions Tradition pro-am on Wednesday and weighed in on the quarterback battle at his former university.
"Yeah, I think, you know, they have a ton of talent,” McCarron said. “I think it's Ty [Simpson's] job to lose. He's been there. He's put in the work. Players respect him. And he's talented. He's a great kid and I wish him nothing but the best."
McCarron also expects the offense to look different and be even better than last year, moving on from a run-first quarterback in Jalen Milroe to a more pass-first quarterback in Simpson.
"I mean, listen, I think you know, running a different offense with Jalen [Milroe] at the helm, it wasn't what he [DeBoer] had from a throwing aspect with Michael Penix, Jr.,” McCarron said. “So, I thought they had a good year. I like Coach a lot. Talked to him a couple times while I'm up there. But I expect them to be a lot better this year. I think all the returning starters, not losing anybody in the portal from that sense. So, I think you have the experience and guys that are committed to his standard and what he's trying to build. So I think it'll be a good year."
Alabama players will have a few more weeks off before summer and fall camps begin with the August 30 season opener at Florida State a little over 100 days away.
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