Why DeBoer feels it will be hard for an Alabama quarterback to create separation in competition

Photo via Alabama Athletics

Kalen DeBoer talked to reporters Tuesday about the Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle after spring practice.

DeBoer had high praise for each quarterback throughout spring practice, as they had their share of ups and downs. That praise continued Tuesday when DeBoer said he feels it will be difficult for Austin Mack and Keelon Russell to create separation from one another.

“That’s the thing, one of them trying to separate themselves,” DeBoer said. “That’s going to be hard because both of them are extremely talented. They’re committed on an extremely high level. They got playmaking abilities that are very similar. Growth in the offense and us continuing to grow offense around them. There is a little give and take there. They got teammates that they do a great job leading that believe in them.

It was no surprise Alabama did not announce a starting quarterback during or after spring practice. DeBoer gave an overview of how the quarterbacks performed immediately after the Tide’s spring game, A-Day.

“I think it can mislead people very quickly with one word or two words when I talk publicly,” said DeBoer. “I mentioned in an interview, I think right after the second scrimmage, about these quarterbacks not living up to the level they played at or something to that, about to the standard or something and everyone thinking that they played awful. Well, they just didn’t play to the level that they had been playing, which we were really excited about.”

“But I think, again, you saw Saturday the throws aren’t going to be a problem as far as arm strength, arm talent. So now it’s the other things, the managing of things. A couple times we were vulnerable just because of where the ball was at. A couple balls got picked. A couple, at least one other could have probably got picked because the ball was on the ground at the time. It didn’t get lost, but those are the things. It doesn’t matter how good you are if you don’t stay on the field. I think overall the quarterbacks have done a really, really good job of taking care of the ball, understanding we need to be aggressive, but we also got to make sure we’re not, taking these unnecessary risks and just checking it down sometimes. A lot of times is just great, and then you get your shots at the right time because you get behind the defense. So, These guys have done a great job. I think there’s a lot of belief and confidence by our whole team in our quarterback group.”