Alabama Reporter Confirms $660K Threat to Keelon Russell as Ryan Grubb Sends Clear Message on Jalen Milroe’s Successor

As Alabama wraps up spring practice, a key intel is coming out of Tuscaloosa. The QB1 battle might be coming to an end, and Jalen Milroe will have a successor. However, that means the other contenders will not be so happy, after a good few weeks of practice that went into securing that position. Amid Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack, Kalen DeBoer and Co. seem to have narrowed down their choices to one. It’s become more evident with money becoming involved.

Keelon Russell was a name to watch out for. Fresh out of high school as the No. 2 QB prospect of the 2025 class, he was competing to be Milroe’s successor. He ran for 4,177 yards in his senior year alone, and also scored 55 TDs. Those are more numbers than Simpson and Mack have made cumulatively in their college careers. But it is that very newness that became a factor in the way the race turned out for him. “He’s a five-star. But the problem is we don’t know, and that’s not a good sign for Alabama,” Paul Finebaum said. Instead of Russell, Kalen DeBoer seems to have gone for the more seasoned candidate.

According to Kalen DeBoer, Keelon Russell is still someone who is “still learning, still growing,” Yahoo Sports mentioned. At A-Day, his first throw ended up being an interception. In the go-route reps, Russell’s medium to deep throws matched up to those of his other two far more senior competitors. But the news is more or less here, and Russell will not be getting the QB1 spot. Because Ty Simpson, the popular favorite for the job, has signed an NIL deal.

On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed that Simpson will be collaborating with Harbin Automotive, a family-owned business that deals with Ford and Chevrolet. The deal is a multi-year one, and he’d get cool new wheels every few months. The first coming his way is a flashy 2024 Chevy Silverado. Also, Simpson’s current NIL value is regarded to be $666,000. That number can go further up, because he still has 3 more years of CFB eligibility. He’s at least scheduled to get a few more rides in his first season.

Russell was seen as the wild card who could shake things up in the QB room. However, that would only happen if Simpson or Mack had horrendously messed up their chances. With Simpson bagging his NIL deal, it is only a matter of time before the official news of him taking the QB1 spot is out. OC Ryan Grubb has already made one unofficially.

Ryan Grubb has a clear message for Ty Simpson, sealing Keelon Russell’s fate

You wouldn’t really need a drumroll for this. Grubb said after the A-Day, “If we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start.” It isn’t a matter of surprise, but everyone knew from the get-go that the role isn’t going to anybody else. He’s experienced and watched Jalen Milroe; Simpson is who Alabama needs.

Former Alabama QB Jake Coker is said to be seconding Grubb’s choice. He told Mick Gillispie of Cover Crimson, “I think it’s kind of perfect what Ryan Grubb said. I mean, if there had to be a starter tomorrow, it would be Ty Simpson.”

“[He is] a guy that’s been loyal to the program the entire time. A guy that’s got his, I mean, his head’s on his shoulders the right way. He understands what he’s looking at. Very high IQ, football IQ guy,” Coker added. Simpson has been here for quite some time, and he would know his way around Crimson Tide football.

About the rest of the contenders. The former QB said, “In terms of measurables, you know, Mack and Russell, I think, you know, may have them in a few areas. That doesn’t, to me, mean that anybody is better than Ty.” Russell does have an edge over Simpson when it comes to the numbers. But the quarterback position demands some experience, and Simpson has that.

Russell might be losing out to Simpson this time, but he has tremendous potential. That can only get better the more time he spends at Alabama. His first big role, however, isn’t going to happen this season, from what it looks like at the moment.