Alabama’s Quarterback Battle for the 2025 Season: Who Will Take the Helm?
With Jalen Milroe heading to the NFL, Alabama faces a critical decision regarding its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The competition is expected to be fierce among three contenders: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell.
Simpson, the most experienced of the group, spent time learning Kalen DeBoer’s system last season, working with the playbook and seeing limited in-game action. As he enters his second year under this system, he could emerge as the frontrunner for the starting role.
Mack, while talented, may not be ready to take on the starting job just yet. His odds of securing the position are currently the lowest among the three contenders, with several months left before the season begins.
Russell, however, has been gaining significant attention. A standout from Duncanville High School, he put up incredible numbers in his senior year, passing for over 4,100 yards, 55 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. His raw talent and ability to handle pressure make him a compelling option, but history shows that true freshmen rarely start as quarterbacks at powerhouse programs like Alabama.
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and ex-LSU center T-Bob Hebert weighed in on the situation, with both believing Simpson will likely get the starting nod—at least initially. Murray noted that teams rarely put all their trust in a freshman right away, while Hebert suggested Simpson might be a “placeholder” if Russell proves ready to take over.
DeBoer’s Perspective on Keelon Russell
Despite the doubts, head coach Kalen DeBoer has expressed confidence in Russell’s abilities. He praised the young quarterback’s leadership, confidence, and playmaking skills, noting that his impact on Alabama’s recruiting class was significant.
DeBoer emphasized that Russell possesses excellent arm talent, accuracy, and the ability to make plays with his legs. His dual-threat potential makes him an exciting prospect, but DeBoer must decide whether he’s ready to lead the offense immediately or if he should be developed further before taking over.
Concerns About Alabama’s Roster and Recruiting Strategy
One of the biggest questions surrounding Alabama’s future is how it has approached the transfer portal. Unlike other top programs, Alabama did not aggressively pursue transfers despite losing key players to the NFL and recruiting losses following Nick Saban’s retirement.
Murray pointed out that Alabama lost potential first- and second-round draft picks but chose to rely on their existing roster rather than supplementing it with portal acquisitions. This marks a departure from Saban’s approach, where relentless recruiting played a key role in the program’s dominance.
Alabama alumnus Mick Gillispie also voiced concerns, particularly about how the program’s financial resources are being utilized. Alabama is one of the most valuable athletic programs in college football, ranking fifth behind Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Michigan. However, Gillispie argued that the money isn’t translating into roster improvements, especially compared to rivals like Ohio State, which boasts the most expensive roster in college football history.
Gillispie warned that Alabama cannot afford to let other elite programs outpace them in roster quality, given the resources they have at their disposal.
The Challenge of Replacing Nick Saban
The transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer has been anything but smooth. Saban’s departure led to a significant exodus of players and recruits, with several five-star talents decommitting from Alabama within days of the announcement.
Ryan Williams, one of the nation’s top wide receiver recruits, decommitted shortly after Saban left, followed by another five-star wideout, Jaime Ffrench. The departures of key players such as Jihaad Campbell, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Booker to the NFL further complicated DeBoer’s first year.
DeBoer inherited a team still attached to Saban’s legacy, and the challenge of winning over the locker room proved difficult. Some players struggled to buy into his system, resulting in chemistry issues. Despite starting the season on a winning streak, Alabama stumbled against Vanderbilt and ended the year with a disappointing loss to Oklahoma.
Saban himself acknowledged the difficulty of the transition. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, he noted that DeBoer must establish his own identity rather than trying to replicate the Saban era. He expressed confidence in DeBoer’s abilities but acknowledged that fans and players alike must adjust their expectations.
With the first-year hurdles behind him, the focus now shifts to whether DeBoer can elevate Alabama back to championship contention in 2025.