Alabama football’s first practice of the spring is officially in the books.
In year two, head coach Kalen DeBoer has one of his most difficult tasks at hand this offseason. Last year’s starting quarterback, Jalen Milroe, is headed off to the NFL, and a new starter at the position must emerge.
So did the position battle come to a conclusion after practice one?
"No, it's something that — they're all at different points,” DeBoer said. “Few things procedure-wise that were a little different. Good to see those guys all operate through that. They had their times where, of course, they looked really good and times where they got to continue to grow and get better."
Essentially, there is a three-way competition for the starting job between Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack. Simpson is projected as the favorite to win the job. He has the most experience of the bunch and has waited his time as a backup behind Milroe for the past two seasons.
Russell is the wild card of the bunch. Ranked the No. 1 or No. 2 prospect in the 2025 class depending on the recruiting service you subscribe to, immediate playing time is not out of the question. Russell was an early enrollee after singing with the Crimson Tide back in December. He was unable to participate in the bowl practice due to high school playoffs, but the offseason workouts have paid off for the incoming freshman. Listed at 175 pounds on signing day, Russell is now listed at 192 pounds per the Crimson Tide roster page.
"I saw him last summer, you know, and I saw him in person for one game last fall,” DeBoer said. “He's in pads and all that at time, too. He looks good right now. Strong and moves around. He's just a good all-around athlete. The weight program, certainly for any new guy is going to be critical. It's good to get that first phase under your belt. That's why being an early enrollee is so important. Obviously now and through the spring, the reason — there's multiple reasons, but one of the reasons why we go every other day and not back-to-back ever is just so we can get big days of lifting in, really, a minimum three times a week."
There is still a long way to go before the season opener against Florida State on August 31, but spring practices can really help showcase each quarterback's talents. After practice on Monday, DeBoer spoke on the talents and skills he wants his next starting quarterback to have.
"Well, I mean it's got to be a guy who can deliver the ball, command the huddle, command everything we do with the team,” DeBoer said. “That presence, that belief and confidence in your signal caller. It starts with a lot of that — just the belief. The belief comes because you're making the throws and you're getting the ball in a fashion where they can go make their plays and reap the rewards of all the work they've put in."
The trio of starting quarterback candidates will have 14 more practices left to show the coaches why they deserve the starting role. The 15th and final spring practice will be Alabama’s A-Day game on April 12 at noon.
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