Whatever happened in Alabama last season is a past now. After a season that was un-Alabama by all standards, finishing 9-4, it now looks like the Bama infantry are digging trenches and patiently waiting for this year’s season to start. Filling in Nick Saban’s shoes was never an easy job for Kalen DeBoer, but the Crimson Tide’s HC is prepared to make things right in his second season. While DeBoer keeps figuring out how to better his 9-4 finish from the last season, the 50-year-old must figure out the QB situation in Alabama first.

Kalen DeBoer undoubtedly has a long road of practice ahead of him, but after you have roped in a 3rd ranked class nationally. There deserves to be some optimism. Furthermore, their quarterback room is a whole other story of dynamism, leadership, and talent. The protagonist? Well, it’s none other than Ty Simpson.

With Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and the talented freshman quarterback Keelon Russel at the center of it, we all are well aware of the ongoing QB battle in the spring camp of Alabama. All three are moving aggressively forward to prove their QB1 worth, and all three possess the talent and playmaking abilities of a world-class QB, without a doubt. Who would Kalen DeBoer prefer? Where will the Ryan Grubb needle stop at last? Well, it seems like DeBoer does not have to think enough about who he wants to see under center in Alabama.

Mick Gillispie, an Alabama alum and host of ‘Bama Tailgate,’ provided an update that could tilt this QB battle heavily toward Ty Simpson. “If everything goes the way that it’s to go, we shouldn’t really have much of a position battle. This should be an easy dub for the one and the only guy that should have all of this covered, and of course, I’m talking about Ty. You feel like Ty Simpson is definitely the guy to lead this group anyway… This should be the week that Ty Simpson really just kind of pulls away from the rest of the pack that he starts to take Center Stage and that he leads the team in.”

Gillispie’s comments only confirm why Simpson is THE QB DeBoer would need, because earlier this year, the Crimson Tide HC confirmed his stance on the QB1 choice. Simpson built “relationships to get ready for this chance that he has right in front of him,” DeBoer told reporters at the Senior Bowl, “to not just step up as a leader, because I think he’s been doing that, but to have that opportunity to step in and be the quarterback.” But why Ty Simpson?

Ty Simpson undoubtedly looks to be the main man running in front of the QB battle. Sure, he, too, hasn’t started any game yet as of now. But he is someone who has been in the Alabama system for quite a long time now. He joined the Tide in the 2022 class as a five-star quarterback ranked 2nd nationally. However, in his three years at Alabama, he has always remained in the shadows of other QBs. Be it Bryce Young at first, then Jalen Milroe after that. This season, which will be his 4th in the system, would certainly lean coaches towards him in that regard. However, that’s not to say that Simpson’s competition is not capable.

Stephen M. Smith, who is an analyst, talked about the talent of Keelon Russell and how he could challenge the QB1 spot. “I mean, it’s a legit competition right now. You got Ty Simpson, you got Keelon Russell, who has put on weight — he’s 192 pounds; he came in at 170. So he got with David Ballou; he got the protein, chicken, weights, and gunpowder in him—he’s now at 192. And then you got Austin Mack in there as well, so it’s a quarterback competition”.

Keelon Russell is a player who is also rated 5 stars in the 2025 class and is ranked 2nd nationally same as Simpson was in his 2022 class. He was also the leader in guiding his High School (Duncanville, Texas) to a state championship in the 2023 season. In that, the now-Bama Freshman threw for 3,267 yards and 35 touchdowns and gave just 3 interceptions. Now when you get the news that he also has added 17 lbs on his already 6’3.25″ and 182 lbs frame. This is progress that has the potential to hurt Sympson’s QB1 spot in more ways than one. Plus, Russell’s high school pass completion rate is also world-class (70.8%) when compared to Simpson’s, which is just 56%; you get a tough battle in the QB room already.

Kalen DeBoer got a dark horse for Ryan Williams?

Where would you describe Kalen DeBoer’s shortcomings in the previous season, which resulted in a Bowl game loss against Michigan? Sure, many would say Milroe could have done better in terms of consistency and efficiency. But, it seems the main shortcomings were in the receiver department which didn’t support Milroe enough and lagged quite far behind. Milroe attempted 26.5 passes on average per game last year, but only 16.9 passes were completed. This gives you an idea of the problem the receiver corps had last season. But, now it seems there is good news in that department.

Mick Gillispie provided another update regarding improvement in the receiver department and about a dark horse emerging from the shadows. “You got Cole Adams, who was injured last year. Jalen Hale, who was injured last year. Jaylen Mbakwe came over from the defense to play wide receiver, the two freshmen Lotzeir Brooks, who’s made all the plays and has had all this buzz, and Derek Meadows, who Alabama uh got and loves being in Alabama who is another guy to keep an eye on. But that’s another group, and it’s a position of strength now, wide receivers for Alabama“.

It is undoubtedly good news for the receiver unit because players like Cole Adams and Jalen Hale are back from their long-term injuries. They will provide the essential recipe for success. However, Jaylen Mbakwe’s case is peculiar yet optimistic because he has now converted into playing wide receiver position from a defensive back. He even said about the reason for his switch of positions, “Because I want to get the ball in my hands and showcase my talent.”

He will surely be a wild card in the receiving unit as he had 41 catches for 615 yards in his High School and also scored 9 touchdowns. His combination with Ryan Williams is a thing to look forward to since Williams had 865 receiving yards in the 2024 season. Last season, we saw Mbakwe recording 15 total tackles and one interception as DB. All in all, it looks like the switch in position wouldn’t be that difficult to adapt. The only thing crucial from now on will be spring practices for Mbakwe.