The tea spilling out of Tuscaloosa is hotter than a jalapeño popper. Following a forgettable 9-4 season in 2024, their worst since ’07, and with Jalen Milroe now NFL-bound, Kalen DeBoer’s trying to piece things back together. But with three potential starters in the mix, the latest spring whispers from inside the program, courtesy of Nick Kelly, are only muddying the waters and leaving the QB room in complete disarray.

The three-way tussle between Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack seems to be generating more questions than answers with each passing week. As spring camp nears its end, Bama insider Nick Kelly dropped some intriguing intel on the Paul Finebaum Show. When asked about Ty Simpson, he said, “I’ve heard he’s been solid. I’ve heard he’s done some good things. I’ve heard that he’s matured and that he’s taken some leadership steps. But I have also heard that he has not yet taken the job.” Considering Simpson’s familiarity with Alabama’s system, he appears to be a logical choice to lead the offense.

Despite his former 5-star status, Simpson has only attempted 50 passes in his collegiate career, totaling 381 yards. However, his established connection with WR Isaiah Horton, dating back to their 7-on-7 days in Tennessee, is a significant factor. Given Jalen Milroe’s struggles to consistently connect with receivers last season, which resulted in 11 interceptions, this existing chemistry could be a major asset.

But according to Nick, Simpson hasn’t locked anything down yet: “It’s not that he has locked it down. I’d say that he’s still the favorite to win the job, in part because of his experience. And he’s just been in the system for three years, and he’s been in college football for multiple years, so I think that puts him in a favorable spot, but again, he still has to go win it, and I don’t think that’s happened just yet.” Then there’s Austin Mack….

If there’s one thing to know about him, it’s his loyalty. Following Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama, Mack, despite limited reps (39) and one touchdown, clearly possesses untapped talent.

That’s precisely what Nick Kelly highlighted, saying, “He can make some flashy plays. He’s got a good arm. One thing that really stood out to me is he definitely is a guy who others on the team have respect for, just because of how hard he works. You know, it’s a cliché, Paul, to talk about the last guy out kind of person, but it’s got some truth to it for him. I remember last year after an LSU game, he was key in helping them prepare as he was running scout.” That level of dedication is a rare find these days. Kelly is confident that Mack will get his chance to start eventually, stating, “If he doesn’t start for Alabama, I would not be surprised to see Austin Mack be a starter in college football at some point.”

Lastly, there’s Keelon Russell, boasting an impressive 66.7% completion rate in high school, completing 238 out of 343 passes for 4,177 yards. While his stats look promising on paper, Nick Kelly has reservations about his immediate readiness: “I think Keelon Russell’s probably the guy, but he’s so, so, so fresh, so young, so I don’t know that he’s going to be ready to go as your starter, the guy that you want to have as your starter right away, unless he just is clear in the heads above the rest kind of guy.” He further elaborated, “So in some ways, you might want the quarterback who you can make sure doesn’t make major mistakes.”

So, for now, Ty Simpson’s and Austin Mack’s prospects seem relatively strong, but what does Kalen DeBoer’s own assessment reveal something else? Who’s the QB1 in Tuscaloosa?

Kalen DeBoer is in no rush to crown a QB1 

For Kalen DeBoer, this quarterback decision is critical; another shaky season at Alabama is simply not an option. The fanbase is still reeling from losses to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Michigan, and continued inconsistency could lead to significant pressure. This urgency is likely why DeBoer is taking a measured approach to naming his QB1.

Alabama’s quarterback competition is far from over, Kalen DeBoer emphasized on Tide 100.9 FM. Even after spring practice and the A-Day game, the second-year head coach maintains that the battle remains wide open. While fans are eager for a definitive answer, DeBoer believes allowing the competition to unfold organically is the best course of action.

“The biggest thing is, all of them are getting better, which is just what you hope and expect,” DeBoer explained. “You don’t feel like they’re to a point where there is separation, where there’s a ceiling that they’ve hit.” So far, no quarterback has clearly distinguished themselves from the others, and DeBoer has no intention of rushing the decision, stating, “I think it would be pretty foolish for us to make a decision right now.”

Look, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell each bring a unique skillset to the table, but none has definitively seized the starting role. Simpson, a highly touted recruit with significant expectations, has seen limited game action since 2022. Mack, a player DeBoer recruited during his time at Washington, displayed flashes of potential last fall. Meanwhile, Russell, the youngest of the three, boasts elite credentials as a top national recruit in the 2025 class.

DeBoer emphasized the equal talent among the contenders, saying, “They’re all three very talented, love the direction they’re going.” He also commended his coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan, for their guidance. He made it clear that Alabama needs a quarterback who can ignite the offense, not just manage it. “A lot of it is, we want that playmaker,” DeBoer stated. “I don’t just want a game manager out there… we want a guy who’s going to produce and make the big plays.” So now it’s just a popcorn-munching contest to see who snags that Bama QB1 gig this year.