Kalen DeBoer Updates Quarterback Timeline

Alabama is getting closer to naming a starting quarterback ahead of the Crimson Tide's first game of the season against Florida State on August 30.

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Head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke with the media after Alabama's first scrimmage of fall camp, where the first question he was asked was about the quarterback position. DeBoer liked what he's seen from all three quarterbacks, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, throughout fall camp, but thinks the Tide is nearing a decision on who will start on August 30 against FSU.

"The biggest thing with those guys, the quarterbacks, is, they've done a great job taking care of the football," DeBoer said. "No picks today and a few touchdown passes, I don't know exactly the number, but a few touchdown passes from all three of them. The completion percentage over the course of camp for all three has been in that range that we want.

"We like to have a minimum of 65 percent, and they've just done a good job being consistent. They take care of the football - I think there's maybe been three picks all of camp, when you talk about seven-on-seven drills, team drills/ They've done a really good job taking care of the football.

"I think first week, just missed a few plays. The last practices, just finding ways to get explosives. I think command in the huddle, your two guys who have been around the offense the longest - Ty [Simpson] and Austin [Mack], when they get in a huddle and got to rattle off a play, they're sharp and confident with it. Keelon's still learning those things, but he's doing a great job; the progress is something that you'd hope for, and he's right there.

"Explosive opportunities, they got the ball there, they delivered the ball. Timing, I feel like very few times are we in a spot where we're not throwing on time, not confident where we are delivering the ball."

DeBoer also updated the timeline, saying that the Crimson Tide may have an answer on the starting quarterback battle.

"We're getting closer," DeBoer said. "I would've said before camp, we definitely gotta make a decision by the time we get done with the second scrimmage, and I would anticipate, for sure, that being the case. We'll see how the next few days go, but it's two good showings, I think, especially by Austin and Ty again today, and Keelon making the progress we'd hope for. You can see what he's gonna be, it's just a matter of more reps."

Alabama's second scrimmage will take place next Saturday.

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_.