Even a blown tire can’t stop a pit stop champ, right? Ohio State proved that, bouncing back after that Michigan loss, to win it all. And Greg McElroy, former Bama QB, sees a similar comeback script for one SEC powerhouse. They’ve got the engine, the speed, the whole package. But there’s a glaring pothole on their track. See, if they fix this one massive gap, they’re cruising towards a championship. But if they ignore it? They’ll be left in the dust, watching the race from the stands.

The juggernaut that needs fixing is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kalen DeBoer has got a pressure cooker situation. He needs to field a team that ain’t repeating last year’s train wreck, or his tenure could be shorter than a kickoff return. And the first play call? Fixing that QB mess.

Now, Bama’s got three gunslingers—Keelon Russell, Ty Simpson, and Austin Mack—itching to take the reins from Jalen Milroe. And Greg McElroy’s dropping truth bombs: “I really believe that if Alabama can get stability at the quarterback spot, they could really win a national championship next year. Really. If you look at the pieces that are back, the improvements that have been made on the defensive side, the hopeful improvements with the offensive line, and the upgrades that will hopefully be felt at wide receiver—if the quarterback play can be great, a National Championship is not completely out of the realm of possibilities.”

That’s straight talk. Remember that Oklahoma debacle? Three picks, pick-six, game over. Then Tennessee? Milroe under pressure 26 times, zero touchdowns, another pick. Bottom line: Bama needs a QB who can handle the blitz. Thankfully, Kane Wommack’s defense looks locked and loaded, with LT Overton, “one of the best on-body rushers I’ve seen,” leading the charge. And Ryan Grubb’s offense looks explosive. But QB1?

McElroy’s betting on Ty Simpson, saying, “The guy that probably has the inside track is Ty Simpson. He was the backup last year to Jalen Milroe. Played sparingly, not a ton, but when he was in there, he did a pretty good job.” Experience matters, especially in the SEC. Simpson’s already tasted the Bama spotlight, even if it was just a few snaps. And he’s got wheels, as McElroy notes, “The other thing that I think they’ve found out with this staff is that he’s a little more mobile, a little more athletic than people realized, and he can be a factor in the quarterback run game if needed.”

But the benchwarmers are hungry. Austin Mack, DeBoer’s Washington transfer, flashed potential with a touchdown pass. He’s a classic pocket passer, big arm, good touch, but lacks Simpson’s mobility. Then there’s Keelon Russell, the five-star phenom from Texas, a true freshman with sky-high potential. Throwing him into the fire? That’s a high-stakes gamble. But hey, it could pay off big time.

Right now, it’s all about spring practice, where these guys will battle it out for the keys to the offense. It’s a quarterback derby, and only one will cross the finish line as Bama’s QB1

How week 1 spring practice looks for Kalen DeBoer’s QBs

Alabama’s quarterback battle rages on, with Ty Simpson currently LEADING the drill order. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb lauded his dedication, saying, “He’s really improving. One thing I like and appreciate about Ty already that you can tell is he’s very serious about wanting to succeed. He’s had the mindset that he’s been ready, you know, and he’s been kind of waiting in the wings, so to speak.”

Following head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington, Austin Mack secured SECOND place in drills. Mack, the only quarterback Ryan Grubb brought to the team, is very familiar with the system. Grubb stressed his development and the lessons learned working with Michael Penix Jr., saying, “He’s got a big upside. I thought he’d really done a good job working on his technique, throwing motion, and things like that. I can tell he’s been working hard on it the last year. He’s a very bright kid; I know that he can process the offense.”

Last but not least, Keelon Russell, a highly touted recruit from Duncanville, Texas, is THIRD in line for drills, yet he’s already impressed. Before receiving his fifth star, Alabama flipped his commitment from SMU. Head coach Kalen DeBoer praised his athleticism and early progress, saying, “He looks good right now. Strong and moves around. He’s just a good all-around athlete. The weight program, certainly for any new guy, is going to be critical. It’s good to get that first phase under your belt.” Russell’s dedication is evident.

His weight jumped from 175 pounds to 192 pounds between signing and spring practice, a 17-pound gain. DeBoer also sees long-term potential in Russell, saying, “He’s got a long way to go because I think that’s the way he looks at it. He’s excited about what this growth is going to be even during this spring. But his ceiling and what he accomplished through what you can see on the high school film, he’s a pretty elite quarterback coming in as a high school season, current freshman for us.” Now, who’ll be Bama’s QB1? That’s the million-dollar snap.