Kalen DeBoer evaluates Alabama football’s quarterbacks after first fall camp practice

3/5/25 MFB Spring Practice 2 Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson (15) Alabama Quarterback Keelon Russell (12) Alabama Quarterback Austin Mack (10) Photo by Kent Gidley

Kalen DeBoer gave his thoughts on how Alabama football’s quarterbacks looked Wednesday on day one of fall camp while talking to reporters.

The Crimson Tide have not named a starter ahead of fall camp and Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are still in an open quarterback competition, according to DeBoer and his staff.

DeBoer feels each quarterback took a step forward over the summer.

“I think they’ve all taken steps through the summer, and you can see they are definitely more comfortable with the install,” DeBoer said. “A lot of it is the reps they get with the play concepts they have, but the footwork and just the confidence with that and some of the new things that we’ve added in. So, Ty and Austin, those things were still new this spring. They’ve now become very comfortable with, and it’s subtle stuff.”

The Alabama head coach also acknowledged Keelon Russell is expected to take the biggest step forward.

“Keelon is going to be the one that you’re going to see the biggest jump, naturally,” DeBoer said. “I feel like that was good. I mean making quick decisions and not sitting there thinking too much.”

Ty Simpson remains the favorite to win the quarterback competition.

DeBoer felt the quarterback did a good job of taking the easy throws, which he calls “gimmes” on day one.

“I really felt like he did that,” DeBoer said. “He got probably more opportunities just because of the way the plays develop to have more of those gimmes and those gimmes add up. Gimmes are five-yard gains that turn into 15 and 20. They keep the chains moving. I like the mindset of our quarterbacks because when you can trust your quarterback to go through his progression and be okay with checking it down and not forcing something, you can call as a play caller a lot more balls down the field and know that it’s not just going to be an incomplete pass or explosive play. There is going to be a progression, and it’s going to be some type of movement down the field. It’s going to put you in manageable down and distances, whether it’s second, third or fourth. ”

Alabama football’s quarterback competition is expected to continue through a large part of fall camp.

GET THE BEST ALABAMA FOOTBALL INSIDER INFORMATION, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, AND RECRUITING COVERAGE TODAY! SIGN UP HERE TO UNLOCK OUR SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT!*