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Spring is complete. And Alabama football has not named a starting quarterback.
Heading into A-Day,Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear that the Crimson Tide wouldn't have an answer for who would be Jalen Milroe's heir, saying on Tide 100.9 FM Friday it would be "foolish for us to make a decision right now" between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
"We have plenty of time still to work through it, let these guys continue to work through the summer," DeBoer said. "Obviously, that takes us into fall camp where they will get some more reps."
A few things remain clear: Simpson is at the front of the line at the end of spring, the quarterback who was first to get reps at A-Day and the last one. Mack seems like he's still in contention, taking his fair share of reps with the first team, while Russell worked primarily with the second- and third-team offenses.
But as DeBoer said, with the Florida State opener still months away, there remains time for the order to be officially named, even if the picture itself is becoming clearer and clearer with each practice.
Here are four other questions to ponder with Alabama with spring football complete.
Freshmen shined at A-Day Saturday. From Derek Meadows and Lotzeir Brooks at receiver to safety Ivan Taylor and linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr., who each recorded interceptions, Alabama's 2025 class seems poised to make its own mark. And quickly.
So who are the Crimson Tide first-year players who could see the field first this fall? Even with A-Day, the potential star freshmen don't seem to change much.
Dijon Lee, the 6-foot-4 California cornerback, seems destined for reps after being paired with Zabien Brown for much of spring in Domani Jackson's absence.
The same could be said for Michael Carroll, who, despite an active position battle between Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark at left guard, may be too talented to keep off the offensive line for too long.
But Brooks may be a valid contender now too after his spring with Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide a different sort of look as a true 5-9 slot receiver who was also seen returning punts late in Saturday's practice session.
In 2025, the list is long: Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Jalen Hale, Rico Scott, Cole Adams, Brooks, Meadows, even converted cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe. But how many wide receivers will Alabama actually use in 2025?
It's what Alabama faced a year ago with players like Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice and Caleb Odom, each of whom transferred from the program after 2024.
Alabama is confident that it has one of the deepest wide receiver rooms nationally, a room that shines because of its versatility. But as Alabama makes a quarterback decision, and when specific early-season game plans fall into place for Florida State, Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin, how can DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb keep each receiver happy?
The starters are seemingly set heading into fall: Jackson and Brown at corner, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb at safety with DaShawn Jones at nickel.
But while that starting lineup could be enough in and of itself, Alabama's defensive backs run two deep: Cameron Calhoun and Lee at corner, Zavier Mincey and Ivan Taylor at safety, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. at nickel.
It's a defensive backs room that Maurice Linguist has also made multiple, that prides itself on versatility, much like the wide receiver room it faces each day.
Alabama could have something special on its hands in the defensive backfield this fall, something A-Day showed only a glimpse of Saturday.
But not every position is like Alabama's wide receiver room or defensive backfield.
Linebacker, without Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson this spring, remains young with a Colorado transfer serving as its veteran leader. Offensive tackle depth between the starters and the Crimson Tide freshman class remains close to non-existent. Same could be said of the interior defensive line.
Depth is a luxury, especially in a transfer portal world. But it's something Alabama is hoping it built this spring out of necessity.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What's next in Alabama football QB battle? Five questions after A-Day
Continue reading...
Heading into A-Day,Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear that the Crimson Tide wouldn't have an answer for who would be Jalen Milroe's heir, saying on Tide 100.9 FM Friday it would be "foolish for us to make a decision right now" between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
"We have plenty of time still to work through it, let these guys continue to work through the summer," DeBoer said. "Obviously, that takes us into fall camp where they will get some more reps."
A few things remain clear: Simpson is at the front of the line at the end of spring, the quarterback who was first to get reps at A-Day and the last one. Mack seems like he's still in contention, taking his fair share of reps with the first team, while Russell worked primarily with the second- and third-team offenses.
But as DeBoer said, with the Florida State opener still months away, there remains time for the order to be officially named, even if the picture itself is becoming clearer and clearer with each practice.
Here are four other questions to ponder with Alabama with spring football complete.
What Alabama freshman could see significant playing time this fall?
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Freshmen shined at A-Day Saturday. From Derek Meadows and Lotzeir Brooks at receiver to safety Ivan Taylor and linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr., who each recorded interceptions, Alabama's 2025 class seems poised to make its own mark. And quickly.
So who are the Crimson Tide first-year players who could see the field first this fall? Even with A-Day, the potential star freshmen don't seem to change much.
Dijon Lee, the 6-foot-4 California cornerback, seems destined for reps after being paired with Zabien Brown for much of spring in Domani Jackson's absence.
The same could be said for Michael Carroll, who, despite an active position battle between Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark at left guard, may be too talented to keep off the offensive line for too long.
But Brooks may be a valid contender now too after his spring with Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide a different sort of look as a true 5-9 slot receiver who was also seen returning punts late in Saturday's practice session.
How many Alabama wide receivers will actually be used in 2025?
In 2025, the list is long: Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Jalen Hale, Rico Scott, Cole Adams, Brooks, Meadows, even converted cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe. But how many wide receivers will Alabama actually use in 2025?
It's what Alabama faced a year ago with players like Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice and Caleb Odom, each of whom transferred from the program after 2024.
Alabama is confident that it has one of the deepest wide receiver rooms nationally, a room that shines because of its versatility. But as Alabama makes a quarterback decision, and when specific early-season game plans fall into place for Florida State, Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin, how can DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb keep each receiver happy?
Could Alabama have the best defensive backs room in the SEC?
You must be registered for see images
The starters are seemingly set heading into fall: Jackson and Brown at corner, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb at safety with DaShawn Jones at nickel.
But while that starting lineup could be enough in and of itself, Alabama's defensive backs run two deep: Cameron Calhoun and Lee at corner, Zavier Mincey and Ivan Taylor at safety, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. at nickel.
It's a defensive backs room that Maurice Linguist has also made multiple, that prides itself on versatility, much like the wide receiver room it faces each day.
Alabama could have something special on its hands in the defensive backfield this fall, something A-Day showed only a glimpse of Saturday.
Does Alabama have enough depth across the board?
But not every position is like Alabama's wide receiver room or defensive backfield.
Linebacker, without Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson this spring, remains young with a Colorado transfer serving as its veteran leader. Offensive tackle depth between the starters and the Crimson Tide freshman class remains close to non-existent. Same could be said of the interior defensive line.
Depth is a luxury, especially in a transfer portal world. But it's something Alabama is hoping it built this spring out of necessity.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What's next in Alabama football QB battle? Five questions after A-Day
Continue reading...
