"Hard for Alabama to keep him off the field" - Amid Keelon Russell-Ty Simpson battle, CFB insider urges Kalen DeBoer to address "elephant" in the room

Kalen DeBoer's first year at Alabama was underwhelming. Even though a 9-4 record might be a satisfactory result for a first-time coach, Crimson Tide fans expect more from their program.

The spotlight is on DeBoer this year to change things around, which starts with choosing the right replacement for quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Alabama has three talented QBs on its roster in 2025, including five-star recruit Keelon Russell, ex-Washington QB Austin Mack and Crimson Tide veteran Ty Simpson.

While none of the quarterbacks have had much on-field experience, Simpson has spent the previous two years developing behind Milroe and was Alabama's backup QB last year; hence, he is the front-runner for the job.

Discussing the QB battle, CFB insider Mike Rodak said that while Simpson is probably the winner, Russell will make his life a lot more difficult.

"Ty Simpson, I think, is certainly in the driver's seat as the most experienced player in that room," Rodak said (Timestamp: 1:53). "He is a former five-star prospect himself, but there are two other quarterbacks in that room.

"And really the elephant, if you will, is Keelon Russell, because he is the highest-ranked prospect to ever commit to Alabama in 247Sports' rankings. So, when you have that level of talent on your roster, even though he might be a freshman, if he's ready, he's going to be chomping at the bit, and it's going to be hard for Alabama to keep him off the field.

"So, this is a competition that certainly will stretch a few weeks into fall camp, but going to be very interesting to see over the course of the season, what happens as well."

Nick Saban heaps praise on Ty Simpson's graph at Alabama

Ty Simpson joined Alabama in 2022 and has been with the program for four years now. Simpson is a former five-star recruit. He made his college debut in the season opener against Utah State and completed one of two pass attempts during the 55–0 win.

He has made an appearance in four games in total during his true freshman year while redshirting the season, followed by six games each in 2023 and 2024.

During the annual golf tournament for his Nick’s Kids Foundation, former Alabama coach Nick Saban said that he's rooting for Simpson and believes he will earn the starting position this year.

"Ty was an outstanding high school player, no doubt," Saban said. "He is a fine young man. We are rooting for him, that's for sure, and I have every confidence that he will do a great job."

Alabama will kick off the 2025 college football season against Mike Norvell's FSU on Aug. 30.