Following Alabama's disappointing 2024 season, Kalen DeBoer went to work on ensuring the 2025 roster would be top-notch. Multiple upperclassmen remained in Tuscaloosa instead of opting to head to the NFL, while a few portal additions like wide receiver Isaiah Horton could help the Crimson Tide take the next step.
But at the center of it all is the second quarterback competition in the last three years. Former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy believes veteran Ty Simpson is the clear No. 1.
"Based on my understanding of what's going in Tuscaloosa is that Ty has had a solid camp," McElroy said. "He is in firm control of the number one job so far, that the other two between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, those are the ones that are kind of competing for that number two spot right now.
And then once we get into the summer, maybe that competition is extended. Maybe one of those guys makes a leap and makes this thing super competitive down the stretch. I don't think we're going to have an answer anytime soon. At least, I don't think it's going to make sense publicly for them to come out and to endorse one guy as the starter for fear that the fact that there's only three guys right now on scholarship, you lose one of the other two guys, now you're down to two and you're back in the portal for a guy that doesn't have a great feel for the system. If I were in charge of this quarterback competition, this thing's going all the way into week one. As long as I can potentially string it out, I would string it out."
The Crimson Tide has six spring practices remaining before A-Day on April 12.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 5:32 AM.