Kalen DeBoer tells why Alabama football’s 2026 quarterback battle is more ‘typical’

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 Alabama football’s quarterback competition ahead of the Crimson Tide getting spring practice rolling this weekend.

The Crimson Tide is looking for a new starting quarterback after Ty Simpson departed from the program to take his talents to the National Football League. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are set to compete for the starting role this spring.

DeBoer was asked about his early thoughts on the battle as a guest on “McElroy a

“I think this one’s probably a little more typical to most quarterback competitions,” DeBoer said. “Last year’s with three quarterbacks, and we really truly did want to give Keelon Russell as much opportunity to show what he can do, grow in his first year, and we just felt like we threw a lot at him, and he took it on. Rotating three in was maybe done one other time to some extent, but probably not at the level we did it a year ago. You’d love to have your one guy going from last season to this season, but that’s not the case. We got two amazing young men that battle. I’ve used the word healthy competition a year ago because a lot of it has to do with the character of the guys in the competition, and that’s certainly the case. Austin and Keelon leading the team together, but not being worried about stepping on each other’s toes. They’re just doing their thing and doing it their own way because they are different people.”

The Tide will start spring practice Sunday, and the pair of quarterbacks will get a crack at creating separation in the competition.