Alabama OC reveals message to young Alabama quarterbacks after Ty Simpson is named starter

3/7/25 MFB Spring Practice 3 Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson (15) Alabama Quarterback Keelon Russell (12) Photo by Kent Gidley

Ryan Grubb still has expectations for Austin Mack and Keelon Russell after neither came away as QB1 in Alabama football’s quarterback battle.

Mack and Russell both flashed potential to the Crimson Tide’s offensive coaching staff during the spring and summer but came up short individually in Alabama’s three-man quarterback competition. The Tide’s first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb wants the two to continue their progress moving forward despite them having to play behind Simpson.

“They have to continue to progress,” Grubb told reporters Tuesday. “I think for quarterbacks in general, any position is tough, but the development of a quarterback to continue to move forward during the season, I think is the toughest thing. You have to find ways to generate both coaching staff-wise, to create looks and opportunities and those guys just don’t pause. Young quarterbacks, like Austin and Keelon, what you don’t want is the starter is named and all this improvement that they have been making to this point just comes to a screeching halt.”

While continuing their development, Grubb also encourages both quarterbacks to keep growing their bond within the Tide’s QB room.

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