Alabama QB competition: Kalen DeBoer expects decision after next week's scrimmage

The Alabama QB competition is “getting closer” to completion, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters Saturday. He said the program is well on track toward its goal of naming a starter by the second scrimmage next week.

DeBoer spoke with reporters following Alabama’s first scrimmage Saturday and praised the performances of all three quarterbacks – Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell – and said training camp has gone well as a whole. He specifically praised each player for avoiding turnovers and interceptions, only counting a few over the course of camp.

As for a timeline, DeBoer said he anticipated a final decision before the second scrimmage. Things appear to be tracking that way.

“From a timeline … I feel like we’re getting closer,” DeBoer said. “I would’ve said before camp, we’ve definitely got to make a decision by the time we get done with the second scrimmage. And I would anticipate, for sure, that being the case. We’ll see how the next few days go.

“It’s two good showings, I think, especially by Austin and Ty again today. Again, Keelon’s making the progress we’d hoped for. You can see what his ceiling’s going to be. It’s just a matter of more reps.”

Kalen DeBoer: No interceptions in first scrimmage

The sense is Simpson is in line to be the starter after comments from DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb earlier this offseason. The redshirt junior has waited for his shot to run the Alabama offense after sitting behind Jalen Milroe, and both coaches said he’d be in pole position for the starting job.

Throughout the battle, DeBoer praised the focus all three quarterbacks put on ball security and said none of them threw interceptions Saturday. He also acknowledged the progress Russell is making as a true freshman, giving the coaching staff a glimpse of what the true freshman’s ceiling can be.

“They’ve done a great job, first of all, of taking care of the football,” DeBoer saide. “No picks today and a few touchdown passes … between all three of them. The completion percentage over the course of camp for all three has been in that range that we want. Would like to have a minimum of 65%. They’ve just done a good job being consistent. But they’re taking care of the football. I think there’s [been] maybe three picks all camp, when you talk about 7-on-7 drills, team drills. … They’ve done a good job taking care of the football.

“I think the first week, just missed a few plays. The last practices, finding the ways to get explosives. I think commanding the huddle, your two guys that have been around the offense the longest – Ty and Austin – when they get in the huddle and they’ve got to rattle off a play, they’re sharp and confident with it. Keelon’s still learning those things, but he’s doing a great job. The progress is something that you’d hope for and he’s right there. Explosive opportunities, they got the ball there. They delivered the ball. The timing, very few times are we in a spot where we’re not throwing on time, not confident with where we should deliver the ball.”