Heading to the off-season, one of the most tantalizing questions is the growing QB competition in almost every team in the trenches. Alabama isn’t the one to miss the trend. The three guys, namely Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, and Ty Simpson, are butting heads to rise to the top of the boiling QB race. The crucial thing here to note is that each of the coveted signal callers has the tools necessary to run a top-tier offense at Tuscaloosa. Now, who looks to be even a point ahead of the others? A tricky question that DeBoer chooses to delay through August. But Greg McElroy has an early pick to amp the fans up.

Ty Simpson, the most senior among the three, looks like the obvious choice to go first on the call. Simpson had served Jalen Milroe in 2023-24 as a backup and returned for his heyday at Alabama in 2025. Ty has a lot of things in his favor. First of all, his age (23) and the years (since 2022) at Tuscaloosa suggest that he will understand the nitty-gritty of the game better. Second, even if we keep aside his past seasons’ flashes, Ty looks outstanding in the spring’s first scrimmage. Oh! And the third?

Greg McElroy vouches for Ty in the latest breakdown of the Bama QB battle in an interactive session with ON3. “It’s still so early, and I think this group and the staff are a little less likely to show their hand. Because there are only three quarterbacks to scholarship. I think in the event you accelerate this competition too far down the line.” Greg gave a little rundown of how complicated of a game it really is before letting the cat out of his bucket. “I think that they’re having to be very diligent with how they’re spreading reps, how they’re creating competition amongst all three guys, keeping all three involved but I am still of the belief that it’s Ty Simpson is the guy to beat.”

McElroy isn’t the only one among the Alabama faithful who’s batting relentlessly for Ty for the starting role. Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard gave a big hint about the potential QB1 for the team. He pinpointed some significant improvement in his peers, which goes way beyond physique and athleticism. Bernard believes Ty is slowly and surely moving into a stern leadership mindset. The change in his attitude, communication style, and performance, of course, is something subtle yet sharp.

Outside linebacker Qua Russaw also divulged that Simpson made the cut to the Tide’s leadership committee this week. Now, the question it begs: can he replicate Milroe’s insane speed? Well, that’s never a guarantee, but he can go close with lofty high school numbers (1,500 yards with 15 rushing TDs). But the naming of the starting QB might trigger a portal loss for DeBoer and Co.

Austin Mack can make a bold portal move if things don’t go his way

Austin Mack, one of the other two competitors for the Bama QB gig, is the last to stick with the team as a third-stringer. Mack already looks buried in the depth chart despite the sophomore pushing harder to earn his prize. While Ty Simpson has all the spotlight on him, Mack’s early spring progression seems another unavoidable aspect in the conversation.

He followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington and is well aware of his specific coaching style. Mack stood out during the Tide’s fourth spring practice as well. Now, even though we leave the leading role for Ty, he has all the right reasons to expect the second spot. But insider Justin Riley kept Russell over him. He thinks Mack doesn’t have that maturity and experience just yet.

If that’s the case, it’s hard to argue that the 18-year-old will wait another year for his chance under DeBoer. As per the instinct of the host of the Smoke of the 247Sports show, “If you are Austin Mack and you aren’t in the conversation at two and you’re more than three, there’s not a chance that you’re going to play for the next three months. Find a way and get out; just head back out to the Mountain West.” That sounds a lot more feasible, going by the current situation at the school. But anyway, if Ty wins the job and delivers, the eventual loss will never matter.