Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is overseeing his second consecutive quarterback battle at the helm of the Crimson Tide after last season’s QB1, Ty Simpson, departed for the NFL Draft process. The battle to be the Crimson Tide’s starter next season is between redshirt freshman Keelon Russell and redshirt junior Austin Mack.
Kalen DeBoer Lauds Alabama QB1 Prospects
While speaking to reporters after the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage of spring practice, DeBoer applauded the performances of Russell and Mack and broke down how the QB1 hopefuls have dealt with the race to be the team’s starters.
“I love the aggressiveness that they have,” DeBoer said. “They’re not gun-shy. They go and make plays attacking whenever they can get the right opportunities with the throws, and they’re making the throws. And the guys are coming through, making the plays for them, and catching.
“I think they’re gaining more confidence in the offensive line each and every day. That’s going to take time. We know there’s a lot of faces up front, but they’re clear with their communication. There’s not a lot that’s catching them off guard, so they can go out and let their skills speak for themselves and make the plays.”
Mack was Simpson’s primary backup last year and has the added advantage of three years of playing in DeBoer’s offensive system, including a season under the coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with the Washington Huskies.
When Simpson got injured in the Rose Bowl clash against the Indiana Hoosiers, Mack finished the game. He managed 228 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 22 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown cumulatively last season.
Russell, a highly rated five-star prospect who played in limited game time for Alabama before redshirting, has gone 11-of-15 for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Simpson, who was in Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s Pro Day, expressed his confidence in the player who will ultimately succeed him and win the Crimson Tide’s competitive QB1 battle.
“Whoever plays is going to be so good that they’re going to lead the team the right way,” Simpson said. “So, be yourself, enjoy it, and be the best teammate that you can be. Everybody cares about being a good player, but everybody is going to remember you being a great teammate.”
The winner of Alabama’s QB1 battle will have a huge task on his hands taking over an occasionally anaemic Crimson Tide offense that earned a PFSN College Offense Impact score of 81.7, which was ranked No. 8 in the SEC.
