Kalen DeBoer provides timeline for Alabama football’s quarterback competition

Photo by Brian Pride - Touchdown Alabama Magazine

Alabama football’s head coach Kalen DeBoer provided a timeline for when the Crimson Tide would like to name a starting quarterback after the Tide’s first scrimmage.

DeBoer shared the update with reporters on Saturday.

“I feel like we’re getting closer,” DeBoer told reporters after the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage. “I would have said before camp, we definitely got to make a decision by the time we get done with the second scrimmage, and I would anticipate for sure of that being the case. We’ll see how the next few days go. It’s two good showings. I think, especially by Austin (Mack) and Ty (Simpson) again today, and again, Keelon (Russell) making the progress we would hope for.”

The Alabama head coach also provided an update on how each quarterback looked in the scrimmage.

“They’ve done a great job, first of all, taking care of the football,” DeBoer said. “No picks today, and a few touchdown passes. I don’t know the exact number, but a few touchdown passes between all three of them. The completion percentage over the course of camp for all three has been in that range that we want, like to have a minimum of 65 percent, and they just done a good job being consistent. They take care of the football. I think there is maybe three picks all camp on top of seven on seven drills, team drills, might be off one. Probably not off two, but they’ve done a good job taking care of football. I think the first week, just missed a few plays. The last practices, finding the ways to get explosives. I think commanding the huddle, I think the two guys that have been around the offense the longest, Ty and Austin. When they get in the huddle and they got to rattle off the play, They’re sharp and confident with it. Keelon is still learning those things, but he’s doing a great job. The progress is something that you’d hope for, and he’s right there. Explosive opportunities, they got the ball there. They delivered the ball. And timing, I feel like very few times are we at a spot where we’re not throwing on time.”

Alabama is looking to have its starting quarterback ready to roll against Florida State on Aug. 30.

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