Kalen DeBoer: “QB Has Gotta Command the Ball”

Spring practice has begun in Tuscaloosa, as Alabama took to the practice field this morning for one of 15 practices before suiting up for the Tide's spring performance on A-Day, scheduled for April 12.

Get our free mobile app

Newcomers were able to practice for the first time, including true freshman Keelon Russell. Russell was listed at 175 pounds when he signed with Alabama in December. In the spring 2025 Alabama football roster update, Russell was listed at 192 pounds - 17 pounds heavier than December.

Russell was a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, flipping his commitment from SMU to Alabama in July 2024. Monday was the first day for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama to get a view at Russell in an Alabama helmet.

Speaking to the media after practice, DeBoer was asked about the freshman five-star, Ty Simpson, and Austin Mack as the quarterbacks on his roster.

"[Keelon's] up there, he certainly is," DeBoer said. "He's got a long ways to go, I think that's the way he looks at it. He's excited about what this growth is gonna be, even in this spring. But his ceiling and what he accomplished through what you can see on the high school film, he's a pretty elite quarterback coming in as a high school senior, current freshman for us."

With the departure of Jalen Milroe to the NFL draft, Alabama is set to host its first quarterback battle under Kalen DeBoer with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell. Russell stands at a good size, 6-foot-3, and has already put on weight in his short time at Alabama.

"I saw him last summer, and saw him in person for one game last fall," DeBoer said. "He's in pads and all that for that time, too. He looks good right now, strong and moves around. He's a good all-around athlete. The weight program for him is certainly - any new guy is gonna be critical. It's good to get that first phase under the belt, that's why being an early enrollee is so important."

Last year at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, Russell completed 69 percent of his passes for over 4,100 yards and 55 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

What will it take to win the Alabama quarterback job?

"It's gotta be a guy who can command the ball, command the huddle, and be able to be a leader of this team," DeBoer said.

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_.