Kalen DeBoer addresses decision to not pursue transfer QB during offseason

The Alabama Crimson Tide have one of the most interesting quarterback battles this offseason. A major reason for the intrigue around that quarterback battle is that head coach Kalen DeBoer made a unique decision in the modern era not to bring in a transfer quarterback.

At SEC Media Days, DeBoer explained that decision. It was driven, primarily, because he felt that the Crimson Tide had better options in-house at Alabama between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell.

“I just felt like anyone who was reaching out to us, or that was there,” Kalen DeBoer said. “You could really not make an argument that they were better than what we had. Hopefully that’s another level of confidence that we have some players in our program that we believe in. Ty, Austin, and knowing Keelon was coming in as well.”

Simpson has been at Alabama since 2022 and has the most experience. In 2024, he completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 167 yards. He also rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown. Mack, however, has more experience playing for Kalen DeBoer, following him from Washington to Alabama ahead of last season. Then, Keelon Russell is a major young talent. He played his high school football at Duncanville in Texas. There, he was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2025. He was the second-ranked recruit and the second-ranked quarterback prospect nationally in that cycle.

“The skillsets are there. There’s inexperience. That’s probably what you would be gaining if you brought someone in would be recent experience,” DeBoer said. “But there’s also growth to our offense. There’s also a level of understanding. This is a matter of honing in on the toolsets and the skills our guys have. I still feel we made the right choice.”

There were several high-profile names that Alabama and Kalen DeBoer could have looked at in the transfer portal this offseason. Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck moved to Miami, along with a massive NIL deal. Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava left in his own NIL dispute. Other big names, like John Mateer, Fernando Mendoza, and Darian Mensah, were also on the move.

“I think it sets the direction of what you want your culture to be,” DeBoer said. “And that’s if I continue to stay the course, if I continue to believe in the development I get from our coaching staff, that time will come. Ty is the greatest example of that. Going into his fourth year right now. I love all three of them, but there’s reasons to root for each guy. Austin travelled down here from Washington. So, he’s super close and someone I’m rooting for. Keelon is the same, genuine, authentic guy.”

Kalen DeBoer has shared that, for the time being, Ty Simpson is in line to start for Alabama. However, it’s an open competition still. So, either Keelon Russell or Austin Mack could potentially win the job from him before the season begins.

“So, you want all three of them to have that success,” DeBoer said. “But just a lot of feelings that we had what we needed. Probably the better way to put it is what we felt was out there really wasn’t much better than what we had if at all.”

Alabama will open the season with an interesting challenge that is going to require a composed quarterback. The Crimson Tide travel to Tallahassee. There, they’re set to take on the Florida State Seminoles on August 30th.