Kalen DeBoer’s blueprint? Build a team that can bend, not break. Up front, it starts with flexibility. Yes, the offensive line is all about versatility. Guys like Olaus Alinen and Michael Carroll are learning it all—guard, tackle, you name it. “We’re cross-training everyone,” said DeBoer. “Dual roles. Double duty. That’s the plan.” And it doesn’t stop there. Receivers are flipping inside and out. Safeties can lock up like corners. Corners can shift to nickel in a flash. But now, all eyes are on the quarterback room. Still, the same mindset applies—be ready, be versatile, be next. “That kind of flexibility? It’s everything,” DeBoer added. Because “When adversity hits—and it will—depth and readiness will set us apart.”

While DeBoer is clear about his choice of players, what about Alabama’s QB1 race? It’s still officially up in the air. And don’t expect a final decision anytime soon—maybe not until fall. But don’t be fooled. There’s a clear front-runner. At Monday’s spring wrap-up, new OC Ryan Grubb didn’t hold back, and he gave fans more insight than anyone expected. Yes, he knows exactly who would take that first snap if the Crimson Tide had a game tomorrow.

Following Ryan Grubb’s statement, all eyes turned to HC Kalen DeBoer. On April 15th, after Alabama wrapped up its 2025 spring season with the annual A-Day practice, DeBoer faced the question head-on. If the Crimson Tide played tomorrow, would Ty Simpson be the guy at QB? And where does the position stand right now? DeBoer didn’t hesitate and said, “I think there’s a lot of great things they’ve all done. Ty continues to, you know, I think, move—trend upward. I think all of them have really, you know, added to their game. They’re all at different spots because Keelon’s learning the system. The other two know it better for sure, and Ty has been around and just has done a nice job.”

So, it’s a steady response that signals a rising favorite—but keeps the competition alive. However, DeBoer didn’t stop there. He peeled back the curtain even more, offering praise with purpose.

“I think the trending upward is a big piece of that. Ty’s an accurate thrower. There’s always going to be bal-s that every guy wants, but I think the ability to learn from your mistakes, learn from other people’s mistakes—you know, being able to comprehend things, not being overwhelmed—I think that. He’s just had more time. But they’re all doing a lot of really good things together as a group,” stated the Alabama HC. You can say it was a nod to Ty’s growth and a tip of the cap to his experience. And a reminder—this race isn’t over, but one name is starting to rise above the rest. And why not?

Ty Simpson might just be Bama’s most seasoned signal-caller. He is no stranger to the spotlight—having appeared in 15 games for the Tide. In 2024, as a redshirt sophomore, Simpson played in six games. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 167 yards and added 44 rushing yards and a TD. Most of his reps came in blowouts or when Jalen Milroe was sidelined, but he stayed ready.

Then came A-Day—and Austin Mack showed flashes. Russell, too, proved he’s not just in the room to watch. Still, DeBoer kept it real, stating, “Now, I will say, like, we’re not where we need to be at the quarterback position yet. So, you know, I feel like that exists within our team to have that level be accomplished.” Translation: The door’s open—and the battle is far from finished.

But for Kalen DeBoer, it’s all part of the process. The journey—not just the destination—is where his focus lies. And he made that clear when reflecting on the team’s progress. “But, you know, this is part of the process. I shared with our team—we’re not where we need to be as a team. I hope we don’t ever think that. It’s never been the case everywhere I’ve been, any year I’ve been a part of, to where you finish spring ball in April and you’re like, ‘Okay, we’re good to go,’ you know? People ask, ‘Are you ready for the season?’ No, I’m not. You know, we’ve got a lot of work to do between now and August, and that’s the case, I think, with the quarterback position.”

So, the message—April isn’t the finish line—it’s just the checkpoint. And the grind toward greatness is still underway. But the QB dilemma seems to clear up after Ryan Grubb’s blunt Keelon Russell confession.

Kalen DeBoer’s OC names Simpson his guy (just for now)

If Alabama had to face FSU this week, Ty Simpson would be the guy under center. That’s the word straight from OC Ryan Grubb. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—the Tide doesn’t kick off against the Seminoles until Aug. 30. And head coach Kalen DeBoer made one thing clear: he’s not fully sold on the QB play just yet. But before diving into details, Grubb broke the ice with a smile. “No questions on the quarterbacks today,” he joked—right before delivering the news every Bama fan has been waiting for.

On Tuesday, Ryan Grubb met with the media on BamaCentral—and he didn’t dance around the big question. Grubb stated, “Everybody wants to know about that position and where things are at. And I would say this: at the end of the day, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Tyson would start—and he earned that, okay? And I know that’s the line everybody’s looking for, but that is what he earned.”

However, Grubb’s statement didn’t shock anyone who’s been locked in this spring. Ty Simpson has looked sharp, steady, and confident. On top of that, he turned heads during Saturday’s A-Day scrimmage—and everything out of Tuscaloosa has pointed to one truth: Simpson is leading the race.

But Grubb didn’t just spotlight Ty Simpson—he gave props where they were due. Austin Mack? “Made huge strides,” said Grubb. Well, the young QB took full advantage of his reps and showed serious growth. But it was Keelon Russell who really turned heads. “And honestly Keelon, exceeded my expectations. I think for a young man his age, he never gave into that opportunity. You know, he challenged me with that—’Don’t give into I’m a freshman and this and that’—and he didn’t,” admitted Grubb.

He even drew a bold comparison—likening Russell’s calm, cool demeanor to none other than Michael Penix Jr., his former star at Washington. “He reminds me so much of Michael Penix, just in his demeanor. You know, he has such a calm demeanor. Sometimes, you know, you need to find the other edge of that and put a little bit of rush on it, but he did a great job. And he had a couple days at the end that, you know, he wished he could’ve played a little bit better, but man, I thought he made huge strides,” said Grubb. So, it’s high praise. And a clear sign that Bama’s QB room is stacked with rising talent.

Although Russell’s flashes are promising, for now, the race has a leader. Ty Simpson is setting the tone. He’s entering year four in Tuscaloosa. So, he’s waited. He’s watched. And now? He’s making his move. Looks like the patience might finally pay off.