Ryan Grubb Talks Alabama Quarterbacks

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The third time was the charm with Alabama and Ryan Grubb, with the former Washington Huskies coordinator joining his long-time friend and colleague Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa ahead of the 2025-2026 college football season.

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Grubb was pursued by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban in 2023 before deciding to stay in Washington with DeBoer. Grubb led the Huskies' offense to a top-15 ranking, totaling more than 460 yards offensively per game and 36 points per game as Washington won the Pac-12 in an undefeated regular season and defeated Texas in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. Washington would fall to Michigan in the national championship.

After the championship, Saban retired and DeBoer was hired at Alabama. While it was initially believed Grubb would join DeBoer at Alabama, he opted to stay in Seattle, Washington and take over the offensive coordinator duties for the Seattle Seahawks. One year later, Alabama finally landed Grubb as the offensive coordinator.

Grubb's job will not be easy in Tuscaloosa, as Alabama is replacing two-year starting quarterback Jalen Milroe. The competitors for the job, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, will have their crack at commanding the offense in spring and fall camp before Alabama opens the season against Florida State on August 30.

On Wednesday, following Alabama's second spring practice, Grubb met with the media, where he was asked about his thoughts on each signal caller during his time in Tuscaloosa so far.

The incumbent quarterback is Ty Simpson, who is entering his fourth year with Alabama and is the projected starter based on last year's depth chart. He has been heralded as a quick processor and has showcased his passing ability in limited action over three years at Alabama. Grubb echoed the sentiment while offering his thoughts on Simpson so far in spring ball.

"I think Ty's done a good job. I thought he had the biggest jump from day one to day two," Grubb said. "Just as far as being able to take in all the information, process quickly, and move."

"I think he is really improving," Grubb continued on Simpson. "The thing I like and appreciate about Ty already is that I can tell he's very serious about wanting to succeed. He's had the mindset that he's been ready in that he's waiting in the wings, so to speak. So I think, for me, it's just I know that he's committed to the process and I think that that's what makes for great quarterbacks. As long as you understand that it's going to take a little bit, he's got to be committed to those steps, and he's doing great."

Sitting behind Simpson last season was Austin Mack, who followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington after the 2023-2204 college football season. He has been in the DeBoer offensive system the longest out of the three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Grubb played a key role in his recruitment to Washington, and will now coach the 6-foot-6, 235-pound quarterback in Tuscaloosa.

"I've always believed in Austin, Grubb said. "I think he's got big upside. I think he has done a great job working on his technique, throwing motion, things like that. I can tell he's been working over the last year. He's a very bright kid. I know he can process the offense."

Keelon Russell has only been in Tuscaloosa for two months, and Grubb has been in Tuscaloosa for one, but the response to adversity and the poise of the young freshman has already impressed the new Crimson Tide play caller.

"Even when things don't go right, and it will for a freshman quarterback, I think he's done an awesome job just kind of staying the course and be very steady," Grubb said. "He can make a lot of plays."

"He's still working through all the process, but he'll get there. He's a good player," Grubb said.

Grubb also called Russell 'unflappable.'

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_.