After naming Ty Simpson the leader, can Alabama keep all three QBs?
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has a leader in its quarterback competition. Now the Crimson Tide will look to keep the unit together when the NCAA spring transfer portal opens on Wednesday.
During his post-spring-camp press conference on Monday, Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said that redshirt junior Ty Simpson would be the starting quarterback if the season started tomorrow. While the Tide’s quarterback competition isn’t closed, Simpson now holds a lead over redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Rusell.
As for what that means ahead of the opening of the spring portal window, head coach Kalen DeBoer said he’s hoping to hold on to all three quarterbacks while stating each still has a chance to compete for the starting job.
“I really hope that we can,” Kalen DeBoer said. “Related to the portal in general, you never know. Right? That possibility always exists, but I feel good about our team and our roster as far as the general chemistry, guys feeling like they’re continuing to be developed, that they continue to have a chance to compete and have an opportunity here. That’s the case at the quarterback position, too.”
Alabama carried four scholarship quarterbacks on last year’s roster as starter Jalen Milroe was backed up by Simpson, Mack and Dylan Lonergan. Milroe has since declared for the NFL Draft, while Lonergan transferred to Boston College. Now down to three scholarship quarterbacks, things were interesting for Alabama this spring as it navigated its decreased depth at the position
“You’re always on edge,” DeBoer said regarding protecting his passers during practice. “The rest of the team has heard ‘stay away from the quarterback’ more than they’ve ever heard in their entire life this spring for sure. A lot of questionable sacks that I didn’t call that the defensive line felt like they were wronged on or cheated on by me because I own the quarterback whistle.”
Alabama could theoretically bring in a fourth quarterback through the transfer portal. However, given where the Tide is in its competition, three figures to be the most likely number this fall.
“I would never say no like we’re never going to have a fourth scholarship quarterback,” Grubb said. “I think every year presents potentially differently as far as where you’ve got guys staggered in their classes and things like that. So you never want to say you can’t have a fourth guy, especially if it’s a unique situation. But for us, I think the timing of where those guys are at developmentally, you’re in a pretty good spot.”
The spring transfer period will open Wednesday day and will remain active until April 25.
