After a roller coaster ride till the Drafts with Jalen Milroe’s 11 interceptions and 9-4 record, Alabama needs a QB that can lead the pack. In Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, and Ty Simpson, the Crimson Tide have not one but three elite quarterbacks fighting for the prized spot. Now, while DeBoer is yet to decide on who he would start under center, Bama’s offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, has just given his verdict on QB1 for the Crimson Tide.

Right after the spring game, everyone had just one question for the Alabama Football Program: Who is going to lead Kalen DeBoer’s offense this season? And unlike DeBoer, OC Grubb confirmed his stance on QB1. “If there was a game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start. It’s not over,” Grubb said. Alabama OC also said that he is “super happy” with Simpson’s performance. Well, this statement simply puts Simpson above Russell and Mack. But is DeBoer on the same page as Grubb?

Just two days ago, in an interview with ‘The Next Round,’ DeBoer did not name who he sees as QB1, but the veteran coach did refer to Ty as the elder statesman. “It’s fun seeing these guys grow into healthy competition because their character is elite, and you know, they’ve done a good job… Ty, he’s the one that’s the elder statesman here as far as experience in the program, but the others have done a great job competing and pushing him daily as well,” the Crimson Tide HC said. While this was enough hint for Mack and Russell about who would lead Bama’s offense, the QB battle took an unexpected turn after DeBoer’s latest stance on Austin Mack.

During his appearance at the Team Focus fundraiser on April 18, Kalen DeBoer seems to have placed his trust in Mack as well for QB1. “Austin would be exactly that. He knows that he’s going to do that till the last day, you know, he steps on the football field because that’s just who he is. He’s one of the hardest workers on the football team, and so I don’t ever have to question whether that’s going to happen,” DeBoer said.

“He’s got extreme arm talent, and just, you know, he, along with those other guys in that room, I know are going to have a great competitive and healthy, you know, summer of working together but also competing for that spot.” Look, Austin might be one of the guys, along with Simpson, who knows the system well, but his inconsistencies?

That’s where the problem begins. In the spring game, Austin Mack threw multiple interceptions secured by LB Abduall Sanders Jr. and was also struggling with his accuracy in 7-on-7 reps. On the other side, Simpson took the majority of first-team reps in Bama’s A-Day, and he was the only player who didn’t throw a single interception. But both Mack and Keelon Russell tossed two and one picks.

No wonder Ryan Grubb’s making comparisons between Austin Mack and declaring Ty Simpson as a clear-cut winner. “He (Austin) came out and developed just with some of the nuances and taking care of the football, and things like that,” Grubb said. “Ty showed out a bit better.” Look, both are experienced players, but with less play time. Austin threw for 39 yards and 1 TD, and Simpson threw for 167 yards with no TDs. But the spring game sure gives Ty an upper hand.

Despite all of it, the race for the starting position isn’t over yet. As Kalen DeBoer is still looking forward to how summer camp goes, that will finally give him his QB1. “I mean, all three of them just keep pushing, keep pressing. You know all three quarterbacks need to continue to get better here this summer.” So, for now, Simpson, Austin, and Russell are all making definite developments. But it looks like DeBoer’s star player’s future is in jeopardy.

Kalen DeBoer’s major update on Ryan Williams

Well, the spring game isn’t turning out well for Kalen DeBoer’s star receiver, Ryan Williams. As the team could be without him for the rest of the spring. Shocking, right? After UA’s second scrimmage, DeBoer made it clear that Williams wasn’t part of the game. He further clarified that they are avoiding any exercise with Williams because of some minor injuries.

“We didn’t have Ryan scrimmage today,” DeBoer said while addressing the entire situation. “Just taking care of him. We know what we have there. He might not do much the rest of the spring. There are a couple of nicks and things like that, but if you asked him, he’d be out there and scrimmaging. He’s dressed up and ready to go but just being really careful with some things he’s been going through the last week or so.”

But it looks like Ryan Williams is making progress, as Kalen DeBoer seems pretty satisfied with his transition from last season and also with the improvements he is making this season. “Ryan, you know, just take those next steps. DeBoer said.  Year one to year two, it’s a big deal, and you know he’s just in it. He’s a great teammate, as you all know, just an unbelievable young man. And you know, no doubt in my mind, he’d be out there taking that next step on what he did last season.” No wonder that’s going to be the case.

Ryan Williams is a major part of Bama’s offense. He made 48 catches for 865 yards with eight TDs, all this as a freshman. But that’s not it, as Kalen DeBoer is planning on using him around the receiver’s position on both the inside and outside. “He’s a versatile guy,” DeBoer said. “He can play any position, inside, outside, field, boundary—doesn’t matter. And you have to make sure that we continue to give those opportunities down the field, the things we saw a year ago, explosive play opportunities, but also a lot of it is just getting the ball in his hands.” It looks like a bright future is waiting ahead for Williams this season.

Now that everything’s finally falling into place for Kalen DeBoer and team, let’s hope this season is their massive comeback.