Kalen DeBoer sets Alabama QB depth chart ahead of fall camp.

Ty Simpson Leads Alabama’s Quarterback Race — For Now

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer recently confirmed that Ty Simpson is currently leading the quarterback competition and would be the starter if the team had to play today. Speaking on The Paul Finebaum Show, DeBoer shared insights into the ongoing QB battle that has been the talk of the offseason after Jalen Milroe left for the NFL.

“We have three quarterbacks, all at very different stages of their careers,” said DeBoer. “Ty’s been here a few years, Austin Armstrong had his first real reps this spring, and Keelon Russell is just getting started as an early enrollee. Right now, Ty’s the most seasoned, and he had a solid spring performance.”

But the job isn’t locked in yet.

DeBoer emphasized that the competition will continue throughout the summer. “They all know they have more work to do to reach the level we need to compete for championships,” he added.

Keelon Russell, the freshman from Duncanville, Texas, is grabbing attention as a former 5-star recruit and the 2024 Elite 11 Finals MVP. At 6’3″, he’s seen as a major talent and was the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 class. But, being fresh out of high school, he still has a lot to learn.

Simpson isn’t new to the spotlight either. He was a top-tier recruit from the Class of 2022, ranked as the No. 3 quarterback nationally. Over three years at Alabama, he’s appeared in 16 games and served as the backup last season, gaining valuable experience under both Milroe and DeBoer.

When will DeBoer name a starter? If history is a guide, fans might have to wait. In his first season at Washington, DeBoer didn’t name Michael Penix Jr. the starting quarterback until just over a week before the opener, even though he was the clear front-runner.

Alabama kicks off the 2025 season with a major showdown against Florida State on August 30 in Tallahassee. It could be a strategic move to keep FSU guessing on which quarterback they’ll face until the last moment.

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