QB battles are going on all around the college football world. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has to choose from three QBs. Those will be Lincoln Kienholz, CJ Carr, and Steve Angeli. Then there is Michigan, which has 5-star and highly touted Bryce Underwood competing against Mikey Keene and Jadyn Davis. Other programs like Colorado also have an intriguing quarterback battle going on after the departure of their prolific quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, to the NFL draft. But the best and the most heated battle is going on somewhere else entirely, at Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Kalen DeBoer had Jalen Milroe last summer as his QB1, but now, the head coach has lost the player to the NFL draft. That leaves three players, Austin Mack, Ty Simpson, and Keelon Russell, competing for that one elusive QB1 spot. Moreover, DeBoer hasn’t yet declared his choice of pick amongst the three and probably won’t be doing that till August. This has provided more fuel for the QBs to perform and prove their mettle. Still, there’s a catch.
Although all three QBs have respective strengths to showcase and seal the QB1 spot, Ty Simpson, on the other hand, has quite a different tale. The redshirt junior initially joined the Tide in the 2022 recruiting class as a five-star talent. The hype surrounding his arrival was touching the roof, and he was declared to do great things. But, in the respective seasons, the QB hasn’t been the starter and has served as a backup behind Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner. Naturally, the quarterback would be raring for his ultimate break in Alabama. And now it seems he may have gotten it.
Is the fact that Ty Simpson is on Alabama’s leadership council an indication that he’s QB1? pic.twitter.com/9pT4RFuV3Q
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 10, 2025
Kalen DeBoer, in a recent press conference, was put on the spot after he was asked about Ty Simpson’s selection in the team’s leadership council. “That leadership group was voted on in early January. So, it was before spring even started, and I would expect Ty to be on that. You know, he’s been here, put in a lot, and invested a lot. I would have voted for Ty to be on that in January as well. So he does a great job.”
Well, the leadership aspect of Ty Simpson is something that could work in his favor massively when Kalen DeBoer ultimately selects his QB1. Simpson didn’t just get selected into that leadership council but earned that spot with his leadership qualities. The QB, standing at 6’2″ and 213 lbs, may not be as physically imposing as Austin Mack, but he has the legacy to back his leadership up. Simpson is the son of Tennessee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson and has the arm talent to lead the offense.
Kalen DeBoer, with his statement, didn’t quite explicitly signify Ty Simpson as Jalen Milroe’s successor. However, the head coach said he highly values leadership and that Simpson fits in the role like a glove. “We ask guys to be leaders, and then when you take care of your business, bring someone with you, and he does a great job with that.” All in all, it looks like the head coach is fully in awe of Ty Simpson’s leadership. But, for now, the battle remains quite open as far as other QBs are concerned.
Kalen DeBoer’s QB dilemma gets more tricky
Well, that brings us to the ensuing QB dilemma that Kalen DeBoer is facing. It is becoming a kind of headache for the head coach. Austin Mack, a 4-star, 2023 prospect, has the frame to back his case at 6’6″ and 235 lbs. Moreover, the QB also has the benefit of having a relationship with the now OC, Ryan Grubb, as the OC recruited the QB in Washington. This is something no other player can claim. Then there is Keelon Russell, who is a five-star QB talent of the 2025 class and was named Elite 11 MVP before joining Alabama.
Chris Low of ESPN summarized the whole dilemma Kalen DeBoer is facing. “My take on @AlabamaFTBL QB situation after being on campus: Ty Simpson is best positioned to be a starter, but has to go win it. Hasn’t done it yet. Austin Mack is battling and has some real support among players. Keelon Russell most talented of the three, but a freshman. Legit race.”
It looks like the QB battle will go till the last day of the off-season. But will it be beneficial for Kalen DeBoer? Well, by not declaring a QB1, Kalen DeBoer may plan to incorporate all three, or at least Austin Mack and Ty Simpson, as two separate starters in his setup. Something that is quite risky but can be tried amid the looming dilemma. Or he may well choose Ty Simpson, in the end.
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