Ryan Grubb compares Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell QB battle to Washington, Michael Penix Jr.

Heading into the second season of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama, the Crimson Tide are without a definitive starting quarterback. Jalen Milroe fulfilled his second season as the starter in 2024, but was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. This leaves two options for DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb: Ty Simpson or Keelon Russell.

Simpson, who has seen extremely limited action in three seasons, has totaled 381 career passing yards. Russell, who was an On3 Five-Star Plus recruit, is the second-ranked freshman quarterback heading into the season behind just Michigan’s Bryce Underwood.

The quarterback competition between Simpson and Russell has stirred up memories of another quarterback that offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has coached. That would be Michael Penix Jr.

“I’ve told this story a couple times, but in ’22 when I got [to Washington], we didn’t have – obviously, Mike Penix wasn’t there yet,” Grubb said. “We had two quarterbacks in the room, and one was the incumbent starter. Another was a five-star freshman quarterback. I told them I was going to bring a quarterback in, that we had to have competition.

“The No. 1 thing in the quarterback room is that should be the most competitive room on the football team. If it’s not, you probably don’t have the right guys in there. And I think for years – far before I was here – Alabama‘s done that. They brought in a lot of really good quarterbacks, let them compete and develop, let the best guy win the job and move on from there. We’re no different. That’s what we’re trying to do is develop every one of those guys.”

Grubb loves the competition between the two arms

Grubb was the offensive coordinator at Washington from 2022-23 before jumping to the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks for 2024. He was then brought back to college as Alabama‘s new offensive coordinator this offseason.

“In ’22, when we got done with spring ball, we didn’t name a starter,” Grubb said. “That was very similar. We went into the summer with no starter, and we got into fall camp and then, Michael got a job and kind of ran away with it from there. I feel like we’re in the same spot. The guys got to keep competing through the summer and fall camp. We’ll let the cards lay where they may.”

“Typically, these things have a way of sorting themselves out, just by production and performance. We’ll track every part of that with the guys. We’re very upfront in our communication with the guys as far as where they’re at and what we like and don’t like. We try to give that feedback daily to the guys.”

If any of the two quarterbacks can be as productive as Penix Jr. was, Crimson Tide fans will be extremely happy.