Well, the ceiling is already high for Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama when it comes to their quarterback room. After all, under GOAT Nick Saban, Tuscaloosa has been the hub of some of the greatest quarterbacks in college football. You name them – Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones. Now that their QB Jalen Milroe is off to the NFL, DeBoer is now charting through a quarterback battle. It involves the fight among the trio – Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell. While DeBoer is yet to finalize his QB1, an analyst drops a bomb for the HC. That’s how the Ryan Grubb factor fails to cast a safety net on DeBoer’s QB room.
There’s plenty of time left before Alabama football faces Florida State in the season opener on August 30. However, DeBoer needs to have some clarity about his quarterback situation. That’s when college football analyst Greg McElroy on his Always College Football podcast picked his early favorite for the starting job in Tuscaloosa. For him, it’s Simpson. After all, he is the oldest (and hence the most experienced) in the group, having been with Alabama since 2022. In that case, Russell gets to hold the backup role while Mack will be the third QB. Exploring the three QB options that DeBoer is blessed with, USC alumnus Gerald Dixon came up with a reality check.
Let’s talk about a hypothetical situation. If in 2025, DeBoer’s boys come up winning by a big score, it might allow Russell to show some action on the gridiron and come out of the bench to hold the reins. Sadly, for them to rely on the third QB will be next to impossible. In that case, the QB will have to continue living in the shadow. So, on the April 1 episode of The Bama Standard Network, the former Alabama cornerback said, “Well, Austin Mack is not going to challenge Keelon Russell for any jobs at Alabama at the quarterback position.” He then addressed the elephant in the room. “If that’s a problem and if Keelon Russell can’t beat out Austin Mack for a backup position, then Alabama really has a problem. I think that Austin Mack probably at the end of spring be in a spring portal.”
Alabama alumnus Steve Brown inquisitively questioned, “The only way Austin Mack is going to get in if it’s a blowout right?” To which Dixon replied, “He still ain’t gonna get in.” However, even though Mack knows that he comes in ascending order of priority in DeBoer’s squad, he took storm by early spring brilliance. He stood out in the spring scrimmage with his technique and throwing skills. That’s how even the Grubb factor will not be able to lock the doors for Mack diving into the portal.
The Ryan Grubb reunion effect in Kalen DeBoer’s QB room
After all, players finding old bonds in new homes is already a bonus. Back in January 2024, the 6-foot-6, 226-pounder headed to DeBoer’s squad with four seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting during his lone season at Washington. Fans thought him to be lucky. After all, he happened to be the first player- transfer or high school prospect- to commit to Alabama since DeBoer took over as coach on Jan. 12. Mack led Folsom to 12 wins and the CIF Sacramento Division 1 championship in 2022, passing for 3,498 yards and 40 touchdowns.
In his first season in Tuscaloosa, he racked up 39 yards along with one touchdown. Yes, it was kind of a lackluster season for the quarterback, however, he soon got a huge morale boost. In February of this year, DeBoer officially announced the addition of Ryan Grubb to his coaching staff. That’s what made for a perfect reunion!
Austin Mack was reunited with Ryan Grubb, who recruited him to Washington two years ago. That’s when the newly-hired coach went on showering Mack with heavy praise. “I’ve always believed in Austin. He’s got a big upside.” Well, that’s true. Mack towers above the offensive backfield at 6’6. In that case, Grubb has literally seen the QB grow. “He came into our system really, really young, a 17-year-old freshman. Kind of the thought there was – when we got Austin at Washington – was that we would have six months with Mike Penix and kind of see ow it’s supposed to be done. I certainly think he’s gravitated to that. It looks like he’s matured a lot and I’m excited to be with him.”
Now, will luck favor Mack to win the job in Kalen DeBoer’s troop?
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