DeBoer details where Alabama quarterback battle stands ahead of A-Day

Photo Via Alabama Athletics

Kalen DeBoer provided an overview of where the Alabama Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle stands ahead of A-Day on Wednesday.

Keelon Russell and Austin Mack have continued to compete for Alabama football’s starting quarterback role throughout the spring. DeBoer said both signal callers have been sharp for most of the spring during an appearance on “The Next Round.”

“It’s two guys that have high ceilings, and they’ve done a really good job for the most part all spring long,” DeBoer said. “I know I referred to, I think in the scrimmage, it is not as sharp as they’ve been. Well, it’s because they’ve been very, very sharp all spring long and so a little bit of drop-off wasn’t a bad thing for them to go through because what’s their response going to be? That’s been positive here this week, seeing them come back and get back to that level and then some of what they’ve been through all spring.”

DeBoer feels there is comfort in knowing both quarterbacks are returning to the program and are not first-year players. Austin Mack will be suiting up for his third season with the Tide in the fall, and Keelon will be suiting up for his second season.

“They’re not new,” said DeBoer “They’re not transferring in. They understand the culture we want. They can lead in their own way, which is going to be different for each of them because they are different personalities, but it’s respected by the team. When these guys walk in the huddle, they’re respected by the guys in that huddle. They’re respected by the guys on defense because there’s production, and they also know the character. The team knows the character of these two that are competing for the job.”

Alabama fans have a chance to put their own eyes on the battle on Saturday, April 11 when the Tide hosts its annual A-Day game. Admission is free, and the scrimmage is set to start at 1 p.m. CST.