All of Kalen DeBoer’s interviews and press conferences right now seem to include at least one question about the quarterback situation.
That streak continued Wednesday as the Alabama football coach was asked about the quarterbacks at SEC Media Days.
“We did make it known at the end of spring if we played a game at that point, wouldn’t have changed at this point because there’s nothing that’s happened as far as practicing, Ty Simpson would be the guy that would take the first snaps and be our starter,” DeBoer said. ”Challenged all of them at that time that they have to continue to take the strides, they got to continue in their own ways to improve. They’ve really worked hard to do that. Excited to see that progress two weeks from today.”
Then DeBoer broke down each quarterback.
“Ty throws a catchable ball,” DeBoer said of Ty Simpson. “He’s smart. He’s been in college football now going into year four. He’s seen the ups and downs. He’s got great relationships with the team. He’s a leader that way. He’s really owned things on another level.”
Then there’s Austin Mack, who has been with DeBoer the past two seasons.
“Austin Mack, if he walked in here, the guy is 6-foot-6, 230, 235. He has a presence about him,“ DeBoer said. ”That carries over to how he throws the football. Just really took his most meaningful snaps in college this spring working with the ones and twos.”
Then DeBoer finished by talking about Keelon Russell, the five-star freshman.
“Keelon Russell, you never would have guessed, a lot of guys graduated from high school a month ago, really a high school senior, early enrollee, that came in and learned the system of college football, taking these huge strides in the course of the spring,” DeBoer said. “Now again, getting that install over and over again in the summer, going into the fall. I’m confident he’s going to make big jumps as well.”
DeBoer finished by saying all three have the potential to do big things in the Alabama offense.
“I think it a lot of it has to do with what is around them, as well,” DeBoer said.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
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