Well, they say firsts are always special, but Kalen DeBoer would probably disagree. Why? Last year, when DeBoer took over the HC’s job, the only thing that rolled in was criticism. Fans hammered him for inconsistency, and let’s be real: a 6-time championship team losing against teams like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt doesn’t really bring in praise. But let’s not forget that even DeBoer walked into a new system with players he didn’t even know. This year, that’s not the case anymore. Now, he knows the playbook, and most importantly, he gets to choose his QB. So, the spotlight’s back, and the key question remains: Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, or Austin Mack? And it looks like DeBoer might finally have his guy.

Look, the spring game and Ryan Grubb told us it’s that Ty Simpson is the one who might be the one taking up the charge. “At the end of the day, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start,” Grubb said. “He earned that…Just with some of the nuances and taking care of the football and things like that, I thought Ty showed out a little bit better.” Simpson has experience, and his accuracy can certainly make a big impact on the game. But Kalen DeBoer always stressed development, and for now, each one of them needs to make a significant one.

In a candid conversation with Greg McElroy on the ESPN College Football podcast, Kalen DeBoer laid out the road map of development of all 3 of his QBs and how they are taking up the reins. “So these guys are, again, balancing the reps. Keelon started out lower, and as he really earned more and more reps, we gave him those. And they’re all making those strides in their own ways. Ty taking the steps. And so I think I’ve mentioned many times—we’re not where we need to be, and that might sound like a knock on those guys, but that’s expected. There’s a progression; there’s a process these guys have to be on. None of them have taken this overwhelming number of college snaps, especially in a game, much less with the ones on the practice field. So we’re trying to keep them moving,” DeBoer said.

Even if Kalen DeBoer is focusing more on reps and giving them a proper time to make an impact, let’s not forget Ty Simpson has been leading among all since the spring practice. Look, Simpson wasn’t spectacular, but his steady approach yielded consistent results in every drill. While he missed a few throws, including some overthrows, Simpson also connected on a stunning 50-yard touchdown and a precise cross-body completion. And that made him a perfect eye candy for Alabama’s offense.

But, for now, the plan is to keep moving and track the progress. But Kalen DeBoer also mentions how soon he might finally get his QB1 and the backup. “There’s been a roughly similar kind of time frame throughout fall camp. The last week and a half, I mean, we usually have a little bit longer of a phase of the game—we call them bonus practices—leading up to week one. There’s a weekend before and then a few days before that. That’s kind of when you’d really, for sure, like to have the starter named and him be able to start really being in sync with his receiving core, jelling that way, and really dialing on the reps.” So, for now all Bama fans need to wait for the entire fall camp.

However, Kalen DeBoer does have certain expectations from his potential starter, and it’s not who’s having the best completion percentage or making big moves. “But, I think in the end, it’s who’s moving the ball down the field for the ones, the twos, the most consistently when you’re here in practice each and every day,” Kalen DeBoer said. So, consistency is his vision for now. But QB competition is not the only thing bugging DeBoer right now.

Dark cloud looms over Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama

Alabama cautiously enters the spring transfer portal. Kalen DeBoer and his staff have spent spring practice building team chemistry, fostering player development, and emphasizing player value. With the portal open, DeBoer acknowledges the program’s inability to control player movement, focusing instead on their strong team culture. “I’m proud of our guys,” DeBoer said. “The guys that you want around you, whether it’s coaches or players, they have a good head on their shoulders.”

He recognizes the portal’s appeal but urges players to appreciate Alabama’s top-tier facilities, support system, and elite coaching. “We can talk about the stories of guys who have come in and said how great it is here, or guys that have left and, you know, maybe even wishing they could come back,” DeBoer said. “Be careful what you ask for. The grass is definitely not greener on the other side.”

Alabama’s DeBoer prioritizes internal standards over specific recruiting targets. Limited scholarships mean a focus on cultural fit and a strong work ethic. “We’ll be careful, and they’ve gotta meet all those areas that we feel good about: the culture of our team, the chemistry from within, the work that’s being put in,” DeBoer explained. This approach defines Alabama’s portal strategy. Offensive line depth, however, remains a worry.

While Olaus Alinen’s versatility and Arkel Anugwom’s development are encouraging, backup depth behind Wilkin Formby and Kadyn Proctor is shallow, injuries could force DeBoer’s hand. 2025 signees Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose, and Michael Carroll, particularly Carroll, who impressed at left tackle in spring, offer promise, but proven depth is Alabama’s biggest roster need. Now, let’s wait and see how the season unfolds for them.