Alabama Quarterbacks Continue to Build on Good Performances

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is no stranger to quarterback battles, with DeBoer facing several during his time with Indiana, Fresno State, and Washington. This year, DeBoer faces his first quarterback battle as the head coach of the Crimson Tide.

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With the Crimson Tide wrapping up spring scrimmage number two, how is DeBoer's quarterback competition shaking out? Is the proverbial "quarterback cake" almost ready to come out of the oven (A reference to Nick Saban's comments on the 2023 quarterback battle between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson)?

"I wouldn't say it was even across the board," DeBoer said on splitting reps between the Tide's three options at quarterback. "But they all kinda got their shot with the ones and twos. Especially - just because they're older. Keelon's doing a great job - but with Ty [Simpson] and Austin [Mack]. Keelon [Russell] definitely works in with the twos. He'll get one reps from time to time, but that's no indication of where we feel he's at. He's killing it; he's doing a great job. You can see when he's out there, he's getting more and more comfortable moving the ball downfield. When there is a throw to be made, he'll make the throw, that's for sure."

Even though there are positive reports about Ty Simpson after both scrimmages, it sounds like the quarterback cake will be in the oven for a while.

"Just the learning curve that comes along with being young, but those other two guys, just a little bit more as far as understanding the offense. You're trying to continue to install things, and they have a grasp of the basics from day one, so you can do just a few more things. But they're all three making throws, making some big-time throws. I thought they all moved the chains at times when they maybe had their backs against the wall. Maybe some second and third-and-long situations where they found a way to make a big throw. Obviously, someone has to catch it too."

DeBoer also said the quarterbacks are continuing to build trust with the offensive line, which is currently operating without returning starter Kadyn Proctor at left tackle.

"Continuing to build trust I think with the offensive line, and then it has to go the other way too with the offensive line getting used to cadences and getting used to what that guy does - does that guy break out to the outside and scramble. Some guys just have those type of instinctual things they do, and they're all a little bit different."

Alabama finished its second scrimmage of spring practice on Friday. The Tide will have a 90-minute open practice on April 12 for A-Day.

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_.