There’s a weight that comes with wearing crimson. Not just the color, but the legacy. And when a new head coach steps into the shadows cast by Nick Saban’s championship banners, every move gets magnified and watched closely. So it’s no surprise that the pressure cooker is heating up fast as Alabama transitions into the Kalen DeBoer era. The first year was okay. Not per the Bama standards, but the on-and-off vibe was understandable, given the task of replacing Saban. Now, going into his second year, the head coach is facing the QB dilemma. Multiple candidates. However, the focus has zeroed in on one name: Ty Simpson.

Alabama fans aren’t strangers to quarterback controversies, but this time, it feels different. The margin for error is razor-thin. And as analysts begin to weigh in, the message is loud and clear: Alabama’s success now hinges on one thing—elite quarterback play. If that feels like déjà vu, it should. Because Alabama’s past few years have already delivered a cautionary tale.

When Jalen Milroe wasn’t locked in, Alabama looked nothing like a championship team. It wasn’t just inconsistent. It was, as analyst J.D Pickell bluntly put it, “bad.” That’s the kind of language that should rattle anyone invested in the Tide’s future. But it also shows just how essential the quarterback position has become in Tuscaloosa.

While it’s easy to say, “Well, when any quarterback struggles, the team struggles,” Pickell pushed further. He made it clear: Alabama is more dependent on QB play than ever before. That’s not a knock on Kalen DeBoer. It’s the reality of modern college football, and a reality Alabama can’t escape if it wants to return to national dominance.

Ty Simpson now carries that torch, whether he’s ready or not. Pickell didn’t sugarcoat it; he said if Simpson turns into “a dude” in 2025, Alabama’s right back in the 10+ win conversation, a real threat for Atlanta, and maybe even a College Football Playoff bid. But if he doesn’t? Alabama’s ceiling might crash far below what fans are used to.

The transition from Milroe to Simpson isn’t just a depth chart update—it’s a cultural reset. Kalen DeBoer has walked into a program that’s not declining but recalibrating. “Bama didn’t pull a muscle,” Pickell said. They’re not finished. They’re tying their cleats tighter, getting ready for another sprint. But it’s Ty Simpson who’ll have to lead the charge.

Keelon Russell emerges as a challenger in Kalen DeBoer’s QB room

Ty Simpson probably thought he was the clear favorite, but freshman Keelon Russell might be shifting that narrative. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb recently dropped a reality check: while Simpson is currently the leader, Russell is right there with him. In fact, Grubb admitted that if Alabama had to play a game tomorrow, Simpson would start, but the freshman’s progress is impossible to ignore.

Russell wasn’t just a nice recruiting win; he’s turning heads daily in practice. Grubb openly acknowledged that the early enrollee has “exceeded expectations,” a phrase that should make Simpson and everyone else in the room take notice. For a program trying to reclaim elite status, having that kind of competition is both a blessing and a stress test.

Kalen DeBoer echoed the sentiment, praising Simpson for his growth but refusing to crown anyone just yet. “He’s on the right trajectory,” DeBoer said, referring to Simpson. But he also made it clear that the competition is real and ongoing. That openness is a strategic move—Kalen DeBoer is fostering a culture where nothing is handed out, especially not the QB1 spot.

So here’s the truth: while all eyes are on Simpson, Keelon Russell is quietly turning this into a legitimate battle. And that pressure? It might be precisely what Alabama needs. For the first time in years, the Crimson Tide’s quarterback future isn’t just about who can manage the offense. It’s about who can take ownership of the offense, enhance it, and bear the responsibility of a program that consistently strives for excellence.