Kalen DeBoer reveals what has separated Ty Simpson in Alabama QB competition

At the end of Alabama‘s spring sessions, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb revealed Ty Simpson as the frontrunner in the Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle. As it stands, the race appears to be between Simpson, freshman Keelon Russell as well as Austin Mack.

Whether he earns the starting job by the end of fall camp remains to be seen. However, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer praised Simpson for the skills he has showcased throughout the spring slate.

“Ty continues to, I think, trend upward,” DeBoer said during the Tide’s post-spring press conference. “I think all of them have really added to their game. They’re all at different spots because Keelon’s learning the system. The other two know it better, for sure. And Ty has been around and just has done a nice job. I think the trending upward is a big piece of it. Ty is an accurate thrower.

“There’s always gonna be balls that every guy wants back, but I think the ability to learn from your mistakes, learn from other people’s mistakes, be able to comprehend, not be overwhelmed, I think that he’s just had more time. But they’re all doing a lot of really good things together as a group.”

Statistically speaking, there isn’t much experience in the Crimson Tide’s quarterback group. Mack completed 2 of his 3 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown last season with Alabama. Elsewhere in the quarterback room, there is major intrigue in what Russell can bring to the table as a Five-Star-Plus+ recruit. However, he may not be ready to fill that starting role just yet.

For Simpson, he had been considered the favorite to win the job heading into spring camp. He’s the most experienced of the three quarterbacks having played three seasons so far in Tuscaloosa. Simpson has 381 career passing yards and is a threat in the rushing game, totaling three touchdowns on the ground in the past two seasons.

“Now, I will say, we’re not where we need to be at the quarterback position yet,” DeBoer continued. “And so I feel like that exists within our team, to have that level be accomplished, but this is part of the process. I shared with our team, we’re not where we need to be as a team. I hope we don’t ever think that.

“It’s never been that case everywhere I’ve been, any year I’ve been a part of to where you finish spring ball in April and you’re like, ‘OK, we’re good to go.’ People ask, ‘Are you ready for the season?’ No, I’m not. We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and August, and I think that’s the case, I think, with the quarterback position.”

Who the starting quarterback will be when Alabama takes on Florida State on the road in the season opener on Aug. 30 remains to be seen. However, there does appear to be no shortage of talent for DeBoer and Grubb to work with under center in 2025.