150 days. That’s how long Alabama fans will have to wait to see their side battle it out with the Florida State Seminoles, but it will also give the Crimson Tide the time to settle its QB room. You see, under Nick Saban, the program churned out some of the greatest quarterbacks: Tua Tagovailoa (2017-19), Jalen Hurts (2016-18), and Mac Jones (2018-20) are some names that come to mind. And post the Saban era, Kalen DeBoer took QB Jalen Milroe and the team to a 9-4 run—the worst since 2007!

But with Jalen Milroe off to the NFL Draft, the QB room in Tuscaloosa has shaken up a bit. It involves the fight among the trio—Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell—for QB1. While DeBoer is yet to finalize his QB1, Alabama alum, Greg McElroy, who is historically considered one of the best passers from Saban’s era (2007-10), shared his thoughts on his podcast. He was of the opinion that Ty Simpson would be the one. After all, he is the oldest (and hence the most experienced) in the group, having been with Alabama since 2022. In that case, Russell would get to hold the backup role while Mack would be the third QB.

It seems there are more voices who agree with this take, but with more consequences for the program. On the April 1 episode of The Bama Standard Network, Stephen M. Smith, analyst on the podcast, stated: “Ty is the man… The battle for real, it is Key Rus [Keelon Russell] and Austin Mack. […], which is not really a battle but that’s what they are making it out to be between Key Rus and Austin Mack. But Ty steps in number one.”

That’s when former NFL player and analyst Gerald V Dixon stated: “Well, Austin Mack is not going to challenge Keelon Russell for any jobs at Alabama at the quarterback position. If that’s a problem and if Keelon Russell can’t beat out Austin Mack for a backup position, then Alabama really has a problem. I think that Austin Mack probably at the end of spring be in a spring portal.

“Because if he is looking at it and I am not saying about the kid’s ability. I’m just saying the circumstances and the position that he’s in. And think about it like this. If Ty Simpson is appointed and he has earned the starting job going into fall camp, then you have a young man that has four years of eligibility, the five-star recruit, that’s coming in, that’s going to be the backup.”

If Mack were to leave, it would be shocking, though. After all, he played under DeBoer for two seasons and even followed the coach to Alabama (from Washington, where he played for 1 season). He has four years of eligibility remaining and could climb the ranks to the backup QB and QB1 in the coming years.

The program held a scrimmage last month as it continued spring football, and the head coach had only good things to say about all the QBs. “They all bring something a little bit different to the table, even though it’s not like a runner and then a passer, it’s guys doing their thing and what their strengths are. Catchable balls and things like that, that they do really well.”

Regardless, Mack took the squad by storm after showing his spring brilliance. He stood out in the spring scrimmage with his technique and throwing skills, but despite that, and Ryan Grubb’s affirmation, things may not turn out in the QB’s favor for now.

The Ryan Grubb reunion effect in Kalen DeBoer’s QB room…

After all, players finding old bonds in new homes is already a bonus. Back in January 2024, the 6-foot-6, 226-pounder headed to DeBoer’s squad with four seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting during his lone season at Washington. Fans thought him to be lucky. After all, he happened to be the first player-transfer or high school prospect to commit to Alabama since DeBoer took over as coach on Jan. 12. Mack also led Folsom to 12 wins and the CIF Sacramento Division 1 championship in 2022 after passing for 3,498 yards and recording 40 touchdowns.

In his first season in Tuscaloosa, he racked up 39 yards along with one touchdown. Yes, it was a lackluster season for the quarterback, however, he soon got a huge morale boost. In February of this year, DeBoer officially announced the addition of Ryan Grubb to his coaching staff. That’s what made for a perfect reunion!

Austin Mack was reunited with Ryan Grubb, who recruited him to Washington two years ago. That’s when the newly-hired coach went on showering Mack with heavy praise in March. “I’ve always believed in Austin. He’s got a big upside.” Well, that’s true. Mack towers above the offensive backfield at 6’6. In that case, Grubb has literally seen the QB grow. “He came into our system really, really young, a 17-year-old freshman. Kind of the thought there was – when we got Austin at Washington – was that we would have six months with Mike Penix and kind of see ow it’s supposed to be done. I certainly think he’s gravitated to that. It looks like he’s matured a lot and I’m excited to be with him.”

Now, will luck favor Mack to win the job in Kalen DeBoer’s troop? Share your thoughts in the comments below.