Alight, buckle up fellas—’cause Bama’s QB room just got a whole lot messier… or maybe, just maybe, way clearer. While folks have been jawing about Keelon Russell and Austin Mack battling it out, there’s another name quietly stacking wins under the radar—and he’s linking up with a new playmaker that might just flip the whole script. The word on the street, a Tennessee duo’s been cooking in Tuscaloosa, and if what we’re hearing outta spring practice is true… Kalen DeBoer might already have his guy. Let’s break it all down.

Well, Alabama’s QB race just got much more intense than expected. A three-man race between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell is slowly becoming a one-man gamble. And that’s Ty Simpson. As Bama’s reporter, Mick Gillispie, brings out a best-case scenario from the spring practice that can turn things for Kalen DeBoer and the team. Talking about their latest weapon, he says, “Isaiah Horton talked about transferring to Alabama partly because he wanted to play with Ty Simpson—both guys being from Tennessee. Simpson was an excellent high school quarterback there, and these two have started to really show that they are kind of tied together. You saw it again today in practice, at the scrimmage from what we understand. Simpson to Horton could be huge for Alabama in 2025.”

Last season, we all witnessed Kalen DeBoer’s team struggling to find a rhythm in the receiving department. While the Jalen Milroe–Ryan Williams connection showed some potential, consistency was lacking. Then comes Isaiah Horton, a transfer from Miami, who seems to be the missing piece for Ty Simpson. His standout attribute? Size. Standing tall at 6’4″ and weighing 205 pounds, Horton has the physique of a prototype player and performs like one, too.

He dominates defensive backs and remains unfazed in traffic. What sets him apart is his agility, despite his large build. Horton executes routes smoothly and outpaces defenders effortlessly. With Ty Simpson back to throw him the ball, Horton is ready to excel. Their successful collaboration from their 7-on-7 days in Tennessee is set to continue in Tuscaloosa. Their chemistry is genuine, extending beyond mere offseason hype.

And that’s what’s making the difference this spring season. As Mick adds to it, saying, “Ty Simpson makes sense; he’s been there for four years; he’s been the backup. He’s the guy that got the majority of the backup reps. A lot of us feel like he probably should have started that bowl game instead of Jalen, but that didn’t happen that way. He could have gotten some great experience there. Anyway, he’s getting the experience now, and the team seems to feel like the leadership’s there.”

Well, Ty Simpson has a clear advantage due to his extensive time in Alabama’s system, distinguishing him from Keelon Russell and Austin Mack. His appointment to the Crimson Tide’s leadership council, voted on by teammates, further solidifies his position. Outside linebacker Qua Russaw verified the information, adding to the ongoing speculation about the quarterback hierarchy. Selection by the team demonstrates trust and respect, not just familiarity. But where does that leave Keelon and Austin?

Kalen DeBoer’s in a tough spot with QB1 dilemma

Well, no one knows the hustle of finding a perfect quarterback for the system better than Kalen DeBoer. Last season, with Jalen Milroe’s inconsistencies, the team was stuck at 9-4, losing their bowl game against Michigan. Imagine the kind of pressure DeBoer must be facing this season. But now comes the biggest question: Which QB can actually give them a playoff run this year? If we go by Mick Gillispie’s words, he is pretty much hooked up on Ty Simpson.

And that pretty much makes sense, as Austin Mack is a red-shirted quarterback transfer from Washington who was backing up Jalen Milroe last year. Now, Mack did appear in one game, completing two of three passes throwing for 39 yards and a TD. Now, if they start with him, he might transfer next season, and the team will be left with no backup.

That’s exactly what Mick Gillispie is trying to say: “If you start Austin Mack, he’s going to transfer, and then you’re going to need a backup quarterback. Well, even if Keelon Russell is your backup quarterback, you want to have three at that position going into a season. And then, you know, if you have bad luck, you might have to go deep into the roster. But you definitely want to have more than two. And Mack would slide into that backup job, and then obviously Keelon Russell behind him.” So, in that case, Keelon Russell might serve as backup quarterback for the Simpsons and then finally get his chance in the future.

On top of that, Mick also talks about their spring practice. And Russell is the one making better plays than Mack. As he says, “Austin Mack didn’t have his best practice, and then Keelon Russell, you know, making some mistakes but making some plays at the same time. Simpson appears to be the guy that is going to make the least amount of mistakes, and the team likes him.” Now, Kalen DeBoer does need a player who makes zero to no mistakes, and that’s the reason Ty Simpson can be the perfect fit for them this season.

But for now, Kalen DeBoer sees potential in all three of them. And praising their efforts in the scrimmage, he says, “I don’t want to say it was even across the board, but they all kind of got their shot with the ones and twos. Especially, just because they’re older, Keelon’s doing a great job, Ty and Austin. Keelon definitely works in with the twos. He’ll get one rep from time to time, but that’s no indication of really where we feel he’s at; he’s killing it.” Let’s see if till the end of the spring game that remains the case or not.