The Alabama Crimson Tide are in many ways the foundational pillar on which modern football rests. As hyperbolic as that may sound, it rings true if you have one look across the landscape. The house that Nick Saban built has been a revolving door of high-rated recruits. Tuscaloosa has seen more 5-stars than downtown LA. They’ve produced more NFL players than any program. Now, the responsibility to keep adding to this rich history sits on Kalen DeBoer’s shoulders. All while he tries to get his feet set after an underwhelming first season. A litmus test that will challenge DeBoer’s resolve is QB Keelon Russell. 

The term “true freshman” just doesn’t equate the same in the current make-up of CFB. The days of cagey high schoolers making the step up are almost a thing of the past. No more cagey, only courageous. Athletes now are ready off the cuff. Bama’s own Ryan William is a testament to this. In fact, Ryan Williams taking to college like a duck to water presents Kalen DeBoer with a conundrum. Start Keelon Russell from the onset, or keep him away from the deep end as he learns his ropes?

Russell has already added close to 20lb to his frame since coming to Tuscaloosa. At least physically, he’s trending towards being ready to translate his game from high school to college.  Plus, Russell has no experienced quarterback to contend with. Both his contemporaries Ty Simpson, as well as Austin Mack, also have 0 collegiate starts to their name. The case is building, and it’s pretty airtight.

A vocal majority of Bama fans remain firm in their stance. They afforded DeBoer a year for growing pains. Taking over the mantle from Saban meant he was bound to be drinking from a poisoned chalice. The sheen from coach DeBoer’s Washington stint dulls with each misstep. Now that he’s got his previous offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in Bama, the leash only gets shorter and tighter. Grubb shed light on the QB dilemma he’s contending with during his spring presser. He likened Keelon Russell’s attributes to his former players Michael Penix Jr. and Jake Haener. Both of whom are now in the NFL to different degrees of eminence. Following week 1 of spring practice, Bama insider Mick Gillispie read into Grubb comments, in tandem with how practice went, to discern which of the frontrunners- Russell or Simpson- is leading the race.

Speaking over his “Bama Tailgate” YouTube channel, Gillispie said “Ryan Grubb just could not talk enough about [Keelon Russell]. He was so pumped up about what he brought to the table for this team,” Not only did Grubb compare Russell’s “whippy quick release” to Haener and “vision” to Penix. He also commended his intangibles. “Keelon is awesome, man,” Grubb said. “He’s very unflappable. Even when things don’t go right, and they invariably will not for a freshman quarterback, I think he’s done an awesome job. Just kind of staying the course and being very steady,” That said, Ty Simpson was bestowed much praise as well. 

Grubb said Simpson took “the biggest jump” between days 1 and 2 of practice. He was also left hugely impressed by Simpson’s ability to process information quickly and his mobility. The latter is a huge function of his offenses. While the former will allow Simpson to get acclimatized to the new scheming off the cuff. Ty Simpson has been in the Bama system the longest. With DeBoer being an offensive coach, he’s perhaps already accustomed to what sort of plays his Washington OC will run. So which direction does Kalen DeBoer head down? 

Mick Gillispie believes Ty Simpson will start the season atop the depth chart. “I don’t expect Keelon Russell to be the starting quarterback at Alabama.” he’s stated in the past. After week 1 of spring, his stance didn’t change. At least not explicitly. Unlike a national CFB analyst and former Tide QB, who’s made his opinion on the Russell-Simpson dilemma crystal clear.

Natty-winning Alabama QB turned ESPN analyst weighs in on Keelon Russell-Ty Simpson conondrum

Keelon Russell’s case for being QB1 as a true freshman is based in hard evidence. He’s the Gatorade National Football POTY, for starters. He threw for over 4000 yards and 55 TDs in his senior year at Duncanville. He’s spearheaded them to 2 state championships. He’s also added a feather to his cap no other player that ever wore Crimson can claim. Keelon Russell has been rated a 100 on the 247Sports composite ranking. This makes him the highest-rated recruit in Bama history. That said, Ty Simpson is a former 5-star himself. Whose bid time in the shadows, honing his craft. Not just as a QB, but as an Alabama QB who can shoulder expectations and responsibility. All of this is baked into Greg McElroy’s verdict on who has the edge.

“I believe the gap exists right now between Ty Simpson and everybody else,” resounded McElroy on his Always College Football podcast. “One thing that I’ve been really interested in with Ty Simpson is how does he develop as a leader?” Kalen DeBoer’s outfit sure does need a directive and leadership. The program as a whole wavered off track in 2024, and someone who was around under Saban can pull from experiencing a winning environment. “He’s a little more mobile, a little more athletic,” continued McElroy. “Ty Simpson, as an accurate drop-back passer to keep you honest with his legs, might be the perfect guy to run the offense.” As aforementioned, even Ryan Grubb pointed to Simpson’s mobility in and out of the pocket and rushing threat from the backfield.

Kalen DeBoer can seek to kick his Bama career into gear with a fresh project and a clean slate in Keelon Russell. Both DeBoer and Grubb can mould him in their exact vision. If Russell succeeds, it’ll earn DeBoer the reverence and captivation of the fanbase as well as time. Conversely, he can make Russell prove his worth and keep him more grounded as he enters this crucial phase of his career. Something more in line with convention. Avoid the volatility of a true freshman. The cloud of uncertainty looming over this decision will clear as we approach fall.