Resolve and patience. Virtues that coaches preach to their players all the time. An ability to not get blinded by the sheen and glitter of something new. To not waver off route at the first sign of trouble and see out plans you set in motion. To not succumb to the pressure of what the fans want. Things that separate the good coaches from the elite ones. Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer is unequivocally a good coach. No matter what a vocal minority of naysayers believe.  But he’s currently in a tryst with proving he falls in that elite category. There is a way to do so, but it goes against convention and all these virtues. DeBoer’s facing a litmus test that tests his restraint—true freshman QB Keelon Russell. Who’s arguably the most skilled quarterback on his roster, but we know there’s more to the job than mere skill.

Kalen DeBoer had a tumultuous first year in Tuscaloosa. Succeeding Nick Saban meant he was always drinking from a poisoned chalice. Any amount of success was going to look relatively bleak, given what preceded him. The Bama faithful knew this, and a majority of them had sent his time. Get his feet wet and settle down. But heavy is the head that wears the crown. At the outset of Year 2, DeBoer faces his first big personnel decision capable of changing the trajectory of the program. Who will start under center now that Jalen Milroe is off to the NFL? A trifecta of inexperienced but very talented QBs is battling for a spot atop the depth chart. They have a grand total of 0 starts between them, which strengthens the case for Russell. 

Former 5-star Ty Simpson, who’s been at Bama the longest and paid his dues. Shown the exact patience that his coaches asked of him. Then there’s Austin Mack, who transferred over from Washington with DeBoer and has been in and around his and new OC Ryan Grubb’s offensive system for an extensive period. Lastly, and by no means the least, is Keelon Russell. On a surface level, the easiest one to eliminate from the race. Throwing a freshman straight into the deep end at a program of this size isn’t necessarily wise. Especially with 2 capable alternatives who’ve bided their time in the shadows. That said, Russell’s special. Something that ought to have been baked into Bama insider Mick Gillispie’s prediction for the QB’s future.

The Gatorade National POTY, Texas-native Keelon Russell, led Duncanville to his 2nd state championship as a senior. Throwing for 4k yards and 55 touchdowns en route that campaign. A microcosm of why Russell’s case for being QB1 as a freshman is pretty airtight is the fact he’s literally the highest-rated recruit in Alabama history. As hyperbolic as that sounds, it’s true. Russell was rated 100 on the 247Sports composite.

Fanning the flames of why Kalen DeBoer could be urged to give Russell the keys to his offense right away is how well WR sensation Ryan Williams did last year. The changing dynamics around football with social media now in the equation means these freshmen have had the spotlight on them for a long time. The bright lights don’t faze them. That said, Gillispie claims Russell is headed for a redshirt instead of a Crimson one.

Speaking over the Bama Tailgate YouTube channel, Mick Gillispie said, “I think that Keelon Russell will be third-string. Or if someone, say, transfers-and they’ll have a chance to do that-then he would probably be the backup. Just by default.” Alas, looks like conventional wisdom shall prevail.

The tradition of Bama QBs needing to pay their dues before they earn the QB1 shirt likely outdoes modernity in this case. As much as Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb would like to kickstart this era into gear with a fresh face, it makes sense. That said, these coaches may not be following that tradition. Which segues into Gillispie touching upon the notion someone in the QB room may transfer. One of the three is inching closer to the portal.

Keelon Russell may get bumped up the depth chart via process of elimination

Before spring camp began, the consensus was that Ty Simpson would win the starting job. However, word out of Tuscaloosa is that Austin Mack has made a dent in that fairly straightforward decision. Pete Nakos of On3 reports Austin Mack “has been turning heads in spring practice and is a serious contender for the starting job.” This wasn’t outside the realm of possibilities. As aforementioned, Mack was with Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb at the Huskies. He didn’t start then either, but he does possess a knowledge of the system. Plus, DeBoer bringing him along to Tuscaloosa was always a sign he could leapfrog Simpson. This revelation from Nakos, backed by other reports too, has cast a cloud over Simpson’s future.

DeBoer will want to make his final decision based on meritocracy rather than seniority. Ty Simpson’s being in the program longer shouldn’t guarantee him the job. That said, you’ve got to feel for the guy. Who’s stayed ten toes down and not hit the portal when he could’ve in the past and been a starter elsewhere. Well, as he now enters his redshirt junior year, Simpson can’t afford to be a backup anymore. This is a 5-star QB who deserves a shot at proving his mettle and quality. As a result, Mick Gillispie admits he may hit the portal after all if Austin Mack, or the wildcard in Keelon Russell, wins the job over him. “If Mack ends up beating out [Simpson], he’s probably going to transfer,” he said over his “Elephant in the Room” podcast. 

The spring portal, which prominent voices such as Josh Pate believe is going to be terminated soon, affords players such as Ty Simpson a redo in case they fail to solidify a spot in camp. It’ll be a shame if he leaves without ever starting a game for the Tide, but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. You’d have thought Simpson gets to start come fall, at least initially. Unless, of course, Mack just looks far superior to him and blows him out of the water in spring practice. But there’s no smoke without fire, and Nakos’ reporting isn’t make-believe. Kalen DeBoer will just pray to the gods he lands on the right choice. His next Michael Penix Jr. As for Keelon Russell, he’s going to remain a factor in the call. Especially if redshirting him isn’t viable in case Simpson does bid adieu.