Alabama’s spring ball has finally arrived. And one question looms large: Who’s taking the reins from Jalen Milroe in 2025? Kalen DeBoer’s quarterback competition is heating up, featuring redshirt veteran QBs Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, but the spotlight is on five-star recruit Keelon Russell. The hype? Off the charts. Russell’s high school performance shows top-notch decision-making and pinpoint accuracy. So, can he grab the starting quarterback spot with ease, or will he have to fight through the fire?
Well, the truth is often harsh. Look, Keelon Russell may be Alabama’s future, but is he the present? That’s where the problem lies. On the Bama Standard Network, analyst Stephen M. Smith warns Keelon Russell about the brewing competition for the starter position. As he says, “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 faces the challenge of his physical frame at 6’3” and 192 pounds. Alabama’s strength staff is working on adding size to him as a priority due to his exceptional raw talent. The main question is whether he can handle the physicality of SEC defenses right from the start. The upcoming months will reveal the answers. Good thing is that Russell already packed 17 pounds since arriving in Tuscaloosa. But after the wrapping up of Bama’s first spring practice, the team might finally have some clarity on their QB1 position.
Now, when former Alabama tight end, Marvin Constant, questioned insider Stephen about the quarterback depth chart, it became a competition between two players. Stephen didn’t hesitate. “Russell got a b–l on him,” he said. But when it came to who actually runs the offense, Stephen had a different name in mind. “That’s [Ty] Simpson. Who runs it? That’s Simpson. But who has the best ceiling of all three that can really do this? It’s Keelon. Keelon’s got the best ceiling. Right now it’s Ty Simpson, but the best ceiling — when you walk out there and you go, ‘Dude, who is that?’ That’s 12. That’s the freshman.” That can be true to some extent.
Ty Simpson isn’t just another name in the race; he’s a former five-star recruit and has the advantage of being in the system the longest. Austin Mack has potential but is still unproven. Despite none of them having started a college game, experience matters. Keelon Russell is not just any player; he is coming off an impressive high school season with 170 completions out of 254 passes for 2,377 yards, 22 TDs, and only 9 interceptions. His remarkable 70.8% completion rate sets a strong foundation for his potential. Whereas for Simpson, it’s just 56%.
On top of that, Kalen DeBoer isn’t just looking for a new QB; he’s also looking for a leader among them. “It’s got to be a guy who can deliver the b–l, command the huddle, command everything we do with the team,” he said. “That presence, that belief and confidence in your signal caller. It starts with a lot of that—just the belief.” Alabama is selective about whom they give access to. The program has only started two true freshman QBs: Vince Sutton in 1984 and Jalen Hurts in 2016. Russell could be third, but is he prepared?
Keelon Russell’s increasing QB1 chances
It’s evident that Keelon Russell is wasting no time leaving his mark at Alabama. The five-star freshman entered spring camp as the second-ranked QB in the 2025 class and has already caught the attention of many. Despite the presence of experienced QBs like Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, Russell’s talent is impossible to ignore. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb sees something special in him, likening him to NFL quarterbacks Jake Haener for his ‘whippy quick release’ and Michael Penix Jr. for his ‘wide vision with the field’. While Russell is still learning the system, Grubb believes his natural instincts give him a unique edge.
Ryan Grubb is not randomly comparing Keelon Russell to NFL players. Instead, he is accurately highlighting what makes Russell a threat. Take Jake Haener’s ‘whippy, quick release’ for example – that’s exactly how Russell operates. He acts swiftly without hesitation. Once he spots an opportunity, the ball is already on its way, with no wasted movements, no doubts. Such quick decision-making keeps the offense running smoothly and the defense on its toes.
The comparison to Michael Penix Jr.’s vision is even more intriguing. Grubb suggests that Russell doesn’t just observe the current situation but also anticipates what’s to come. Even when faced with unexpected challenges from the defense, he remains focused, analyzes the chaos, and makes the right moves. This level of field awareness is what distinguishes good QBs from the elite ones.
That’s a very big comparison for a guy who has not even started his CFB career. Adding more to it Ryan Grubb says, “Keelon is awesome, man,” Grubb said. “He’s very unflappable. Even when things don’t go right, and they invariably will for a freshman quarterback, I think he’s done an awesome job just kind of staying the course and being very steady, and he can make a lot of plays.” Alabama’s QB battle could be significantly impacted by that kind of composure; Simpson’s experience gives him an advantage, but Russell’s potential keeps him competitive.
While the QB competition in Alabama is getting a lot of attention, Kalen DeBoer and his team are quietly strengthening the offensive line. The latest addition is Jayden Hobson, a former SEC offensive lineman who is now part of the Tide’s 2025 roster. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 255 pounds, he brings much-needed size and experience to the offensive line, which will play a crucial role in protecting Bama’s upcoming QB. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the successor to Jalen Milroe.
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