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Greg McElroy offers insight into how Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama staff is handling QB competition
By Andrew Olson
Published:
In Year 2 of his Alabama tenure, Kalen DeBoer is overseeing a quarterback competition. Greg McElroy explained why he doesn’t expect a starter to be named soon, even though he says there is a clear leader.
Jalen Milroe was the incumbent starter when DeBoer took the head coaching job, having led Nick Saban‘s final Crimson Tide team to the College Football Playoff in 2023. Milroe is now gearing up for the NFL Draft, leaving DeBoer and his staff to figure out a starter for 2025.
It’s a 3-man battle to be Alabama’s QB1. Ty Simpson, a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2022, is the most senior of the group. Austin Mack, a 4-star 2023 prospect, followed DeBoer from Washington. Keelon Russell was the nation’s No. 2 recruit in the 2025 class, and enrolled early to take part in spring practice.
McElroy recently named Simpson the current leader, but noted that he did not expect a starter to be named “anytime soon.” He expanded on that thought during a recent appearance on On3’s Andy & Ari.
“I think this staff is a little less likely to show their hand because there’s only 3 quarterbacks on scholarship,” McElroy said. “I think in the event you accelerate this competition, you run the risk of losing one. Now you have 2 quarterbacks on scholarship and you have to go to the portal and find someone. You’re probably not going to want anyone in May.
“They’re having to be very diligent with how they’re spreading reps, with how they’re creating competition amongst all three guys, keeping all three involved. But I am still of the belief that Ty Simpson is the guy to beat.”
The spring window for the transfer portal is set for April 16-25. Alabama will hold its A-Day spring game on April 12.
“They’re having to be very diligent with how they’re spreading reps, with how they’re creating competition amongst all three guys, keeping all three involved. But I am still of the belief that Ty Simpson is the guy to beat.”
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) April 3, 2025
— @GregMcElroy on the Alabama QB competition pic.twitter.com/VTY8X67hwq
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
