Kalen DeBoer evaluates Alabama quarterback room, progress learning system

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is ensuring everyone earns a chance to compete for the starting quarterback position. In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples, DeBoer revealed his approach to the quarterback unit in the preseason.

“We understand that they’re comprehending a lot of things,” DeBoer said. “You can see it in the fundamental things. You can see it just when we really break it down to where there are no reads and how well they throw the ball, and the accuracy.

“We try to put the things on their plate that we need to coach them up on, but try not to make it to where they’re thinking too much. Even in the scrimmage, guys got some reps with the ones just to make sure that there was enough reps to go around.”

This past Thursday, Alabama held its first spring scrimmage. With six quarterbacks on the roster, there was no shortage of reps to go around. DeBoer was pleased with his QBs, reporting they committed no turnovers in the scrimmage and boasted several touchdowns.

Of course, there’s not enough snaps for all six of Alabama’s quarterbacks on the roster. DeBoer told Staples he limited reps to the top four in the depth chart.

“We went mostly ones and twos and there were some threes work there, as well,” DeBoer said. “When you have four quarterbacks, you got to let each quarterback work with each group and so we mixed it up some for that very reason.”

Kalen DeBoer has high hopes for Jalen Milroe

Returning quarterback Jalen Milroe is expected to be Alabama’s starter in the 2024 campaign. Milroe finished last season with 2,718 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

He was also a significant threat on the ground, tallying 468 rushing yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns on the ground. Milroe was one of the first players to verbalize his support for DeBoer on social media.

This past week, DeBoer praised Milroe’s performance thus far this spring.

“He’s done a good job of just playing ball,” DeBoer said. “He has that dual skill set of being able to run and throw, and now that we have enough things where he can utilize that, you can see the play-calling working around what he brings to the table. He is tough to handle. He is extremely fast. He is getting more and more comfortable with the offense, especially with the passing game.”