Inside the 2025 Alabama QB Battle: Ryan Grubb’s Assessment and the Road Ahead

When Kalen DeBoer took over the Alabama program, he brought along Ryan Grubb, his longtime offensive coordinator, known for building elite offenses at Washington and Fresno State. Now in Tuscaloosa, Grubb faces one of his most pressing challenges: selecting the next leader of Alabama’s offense from a group of talented, but unproven, quarterbacks.

Why the Quarterback Race Is Still Wide Open

From the start of spring camp, Grubb has emphasized that the QB job is very much up for grabs.

“We have three really, really good quarterbacks,” he said. “Nobody has separated — not because they’ve been bad, but because they’re all playing good. We’re looking for someone to play great.”

This signals a few things:

1. No QB has shown clear mastery of the new offense.
2. The coaches are deliberately pacing the evaluation, knowing that naming a starter too early could push others toward the transfer portal.
3. Grubb wants consistency more than flash — the QB who wins will be the one who can move the offense reliably, not just the one with the best highlight plays.

The Contenders: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Outlook

Ty Simpson (Redshirt Junior)

• Experience: Entering his third year at Alabama.
• Strengths: Arm talent, athleticism, and system familiarity.
• Challenges: Needs to prove he can be a steady presence over multiple drives, not just in flashes.

Grubb praised Simpson’s poise but noted that execution under pressure must improve for him to truly seize control of the offense.

Austin Mack (Redshirt Sophomore)

• Experience: One of DeBoer’s former QB commits from Washington.
• Strengths: Comfortable in Grubb’s system, throws a crisp intermediate ball, has shown improvement in his decision-making.
• Challenges: Needs to adjust to SEC-level defenses and speed.

His reps being nearly even with Simpson shows how seriously the staff is taking his candidacy.

Keelon Russell (True Freshman)

• Experience: Early enrollee, highly recruited dual-threat QB.
• Strengths: Explosive mobility, natural playmaker.
• Challenges: Still learning the playbook and adapting to the speed of the college game.

Russell is seen as a potential future star, but the question is whether he can make a serious push by fall.

How Grubb Is Evaluating the Battle

Grubb has laid out three criteria for QB1:

1. Consistency — Who can execute the same way every day?
2. Leadership — Which QB commands the huddle and earns the trust of teammates?
3. Decision-making — Who is protecting the football and making the right reads?

One interesting note is that Grubb and DeBoer use a grading system for every rep — not just completions, but footwork, timing, and pre-snap adjustments.

“It’s not just about the stat sheet. We want a quarterback who’s in control of the offense, who sees the field, who makes us better.”

What’s Next: A-Day and Fall Camp

The April A-Day spring game will serve as a major checkpoint in the QB race. All three QBs are expected to get snaps in simulated game conditions, and the staff will be closely watching for how each one handles:

• Live pass rush
• Communication with the offensive line
• Two-minute drill composure
• Third-down and red-zone efficiency

But don’t expect a starter to be named after A-Day.

Grubb has said the decision will likely go into early August, giving each QB the summer to improve, digest the playbook, and solidify their case.

The Bigger Picture: Pressure to Replace Milroe

Replacing Jalen Milroe is no easy task. While he was inconsistent at times, Milroe’s dynamic playmaking and leadership stabilized Alabama in 2023 and 2024.

Fans are watching closely, and the expectations haven’t dropped.

Grubb, however, has reminded everyone that QB development is not linear:

“We’re not looking for the next Milroe. We’re building something different. We want the right guy for this offense — not just the flashiest guy or the most experienced.”

Can Grubb’s Track Record Tip the Scales?

Ryan Grubb has an elite reputation for quarterback development:

• Jake Haener at Fresno State (2021): Went from transfer to All-MWC first team.
• Michael Penix Jr. at Washington (2022–23): Turned into a Heisman finalist, first-round NFL pick.

This QB room has arguably more raw talent than either of those situations, and under Grubb, Alabama is betting that system + development = success.

The Calm Before the Storm

As the summer approaches, here’s where things stand:

• Simpson: The “safe” pick, currently leading slightly due to experience.
• Mack: The “familiar face,” potentially the best system fit.
• Russell: The “wild card,” incredibly gifted but still raw.

All eyes will be on A-Day. But the real test starts when fall camp begins, and someone has to rise above the rest to lead Alabama back to the College Football Playoff.