Alabama QB Battle, Who is the Next Man Up?

The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to replace its two-year starting quarterback in Jalen Milroe after Milroe declared for the 2025 NFL Draft in January. Three major contenders are already on the roster, with the potential for Alabama to bring a veteran competitor in the spring transfer portal window - which opens on April 16.

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Nick Saban likened Alabama's 2023 quarterback battle to a carrot cake - take it out of the oven too early, and it won't be ready. Declare a starter too early, and you could destroy the confidence of the backup and stunt the competitive development of multiple quarterbacks on the roster. Kalen DeBoer will likely let the Alabama quarterback cake bake well into fall camp to allow each quarterback an opportunity to showcase why they should be the starter and also prevent the non-starters of the quarterback battle from transferring away from the program.

Who are the major contributors to the battle? What do they do best? Where does each player need improvement? And how can the Alabama coaching staff - consisting of Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and Nick Sheridan all work with the offense and the quarterbacks - help each player reach their ceiling as a signal caller for Alabama?

Let's take a look at the Alabama quarterback battle with less than two weeks until the start of spring football practice.

Ty Simpson - Redshirt Junior

Standing at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Simpson is the favorite to land the starting quarterback job for Alabama in 2025. He competed with Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner for the starting job in 2023 before being designated as the third-string quarterback to start that season. After Alabama's loss to Texas in week two, Buchner started for Alabama against South Florida but was later benched in the second half for Simpson. Simpson completed just five of nine pass attempts for 73 yards in the monsoon but rushed for a touchdown on a quarterback sneak to seal the 17-3 victory for Alabama. He was also sacked three times in the comeback win. Simpson would be tagged as the backup quarterback for the remainder of the 2023 and the entire 2024 season.

One reason Kalen DeBoer will likely wait until just before the first game of the season to take the cake out of the oven is Simpson's academic status. He graduated in December 2024 with a Bachelor's degree, meaning he could transfer as a graduate at any time, regardless of transfer portal windows. If DeBoer names Austin Mack or Keelon Russell as a starter before the season, Simpson could transfer and leave Alabama's quarterback room thin on scholarships.

On3 Sports scouted Simpson as a quarterback prospect as a member of Alabama's 2022 signing class:

"Versatile, well-rounded quarterback with the ability to stress defenses as a passer and run threat. Possesses a creative, backyard style of play with considerable experience making improvisational plays. Throws from a wide base with above average arm strength. Has continued to progress as an in-structure quarterback and is among the more accurate passers in the 2022 cycle. Lower body twitch and footwork also makes Simpson one of the more mobile signal callers in his cycle. Picks up yards on scrambles and designed runs. Smaller in size and older than most fellow top 2022 quarterbacks. Has seen an uptick in production as a senior, putting together one of the best statistical seasons among his contemporaries."

The scouting report coincides with what we have seen from Simpson so far in his Alabama career.

His best play at Alabama so far came in 2024 against Mercer, where he took a hit, rolled to his right to avoid more pressure, and looked downfield for a target. After resetting his feet, Simpson launched the ball to the goal line for Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas.

Simpson has flashed in limited action and appears to have matured since his initial chance at a starting job in 2023. Someone has to take the first rep at quarterback on March 3 when Alabama suits up for its first spring practice, and it would be shocking if Simpson does not take the majority of first-string reps early in spring camp.

Simpson's biggest area of work is putting "zip" on the football. His release is quick enough to get the ball out effectively, but a high arching ball that hangs in the air longer than a J.K. Scott punt allows for defenders to make up ground with an open receiver.

Austin Mack - Redshirt Sophomore

Austin Mack, along with Simpson, are the only quarterbacks from 2024 still on the Alabama roster for 2025. Milroe left for the NFL and Dylan Lonergan, who appeared in two games in 2024, transferred to Boston College. Mack reclassified from the 2024 recruiting class to the 2023 recruiting class, signing with Kalen DeBoer at Washington where he redshirted his first year. Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama in 2024, where he appeared in one game for Alabama. In his lone playing time last season against Mercer, Mack completed two of three pass attempts for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Standing at 6-foot-6, 236 pounds, Mack is the quarterback on the roster with the most experience in a Kalen DeBoer offense, with two years in the system. He also has a leg up in the competition after working with Ryan Grubb in 2023 at Washington - Grubb is now Alabama's offensive coordinator in 2025.

On3 Sports J.D. Pickell echoed this sentiment as well.

Mack is at a slight disadvantage with his size, however. As tall as Mack is, it will be easier for him to look over the line of scrimmage to find open receivers downfield. However, it will also make it easier for defensive backs and linebackers in coverage to read his eyes and make a jump at the football while trying to force an incompletion or turnover. Mack will need to have elite-level ability to look off defenders downfield.

Mobility is also something we have yet to see from Mack, albeit this is only due to the limited reps he has had. Appearing in just one game and throwing three passes does not exactly paint a clear picture as to what Mack's entire skillset is.

Even still, the Folsom, California native should not be overlooked in the quarterback battle. Experience working with the coaching staff could give Mack a chance to take an early lead in the quarterback battle for 2025.

Keelon Russell - Freshman

Russell is the player most Alabama fans are most excited about regarding the future of the program. The five-star prospect from Duncanville High School flipped to Alabama from SMU over the summer and rocketed up recruiting boards to become the No. 2 overall player in the recruiting class. He has an electric ability to create space to make plays in the backfield, avoiding defenders and leaving them gasping for air where Russell just stood, before launching a bomb down the field. While Russell has yet to take any reps at the college level, his high school tape against some of the top schools in the country (and arguably the hardest state to play in Texas) leaves Alabama fans wondering if he could take the starting job as a true freshman - something we have not seen at Alabama since Jalen Hurts took over in the first quarter of Alabama's 52-6 victory over USC in week one of the 2016 season.

I liken Russell to a taller Bryce Young. Great arm talent to fit the ball into almost any widow a quarterback could hope to throw into, and possessing a "sixth sense" to know when pressure is coming and escape the pocket to make a play downfield.

247 Sports Director of Recruiting Andrew Ivins drew a comparison for Russell to another Heisman-winning quarterback in now Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels.

"Elite playmaker for the quarterback position with no shortage of valuable game reps that knows how to feather the fine line between risk and reward. Has proven to be one of the most accurate passers in the 2025 cycle and at the halfway point of his senior campaign owned a Top247-best 70.8 percent career completion percentage. Can attack all three levels of the field with precision and get the ball out fast as he alters his release point and is quick to improvise. Blessed with both the speed and agility to turn scrambles into back-breaking gains, but is the type of signal caller that’s going to try and win with his arm as he slides away from pressure and slips out of sacks. Has continued to improve as a decision maker and has a good understanding of when it's OK to roll the dice as he will take calculated shots and give his wide receivers an opportunity to make plays. Certainly has benefited from an all-star supporting cast while facing stiff Texas-based competition over the years, but has done more than just steer the boat as he has delivered time and time again in key moments. Overall, should be viewed as one of the more exciting quarterback prospects in recent recruiting cycles given the natural arm talent, plus athleticism and snarky competitiveness. Slender build could eventually ding him, but has what it takes to eventually provide some fireworks for a College Football Playoff contender and then possibly an NFL franchise," Ivins wrote in his scouting report of Russell.

Russell has all the gifts Alabama could want in a star quarterback. The only concern? His size. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Russell may need to bulk up before stepping onto the field. We have seen Alabama quarterbacks play at a light weight, and quarterbacks in college football have had success (Jayden Daniels). However, it brings a concern about Russell taking hits from big defensive linemen in the SEC.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.