When Alabama football named Ty Simpson as its starting quarterback on Monday, the redshirt junior was elated. However, for the other two players who had been competing for the job, the news was likely disappointing, though not unexpected.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday after the Crimson Tide finished practice, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was asked what his message to Austin Mack and Keelon Russell had been after Simpson’s starting job was announced to the team.
I think for those guys– not I think, I know, they have to continue to progress,” Grubb said. “For quarterbacks in general, any position is tough but the development of a quarterback to continue to move forward during a season is the toughest thing. That’s the thing, you have to find ways to generate both coaching staff-wise to create looks and opportunities so those guys don’t just pause.
“Young quarterbacks that are really talented like Austin and Keelon, what we don’t want is that the starter is named and all this improvement that they’ve been making to this point just comes to a screeching halt. That part, they totally understood.”
Mack, entering his redshirt sophomore season, was the other returnee in the competition. He began his college career at Washington, following DeBoer to Tuscaloosa ahead of the 2024 season.
Russell entered Alabama this offseason as a true freshman. He was a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, and earned MVP at the Elite 11 before his arrival.
Coaches said both Mack and Russell had chances to earn the starting job, but announced Simpson as the frontrunner after spring practice. According to Grubb, a key to their future will be the ability to focus on themselves moving forward.
Grubb also said Alabama has not decided which of the two will be primary backup for Simpson.
“I know they’re up to the task, and I think a huge part of that is the relationships, the bond that’s been built in that room,” Grubb said. “I told the guys, I thought one of the things that stood out to be the most about that room was that there never was this feeling of somebody conceding. So like, ‘Oh, Ty’s gonna be the guy.’ There was never an approach by any of the three guys that it was like, it’s him or him. At the same time it was all organic.
“Guys were able to focus on their job and just be the best quarterback they can be. I think they all developed because of the type of room that we have. Tip of the cap to those guys, I don’t think that’s coaching, I think that’s just guys doing a really good job of focusing on themselves. I think Austin and Keelon will be up to that.”
The Crimson Tide has nine remaining preseason camp practices. Alabama opens the season with an Aug. 30 trip to Florida State.
