For the first time in his three seasons at Alabama, head coach Kalen DeBoer may not have a clear-cut starter at quarterback. An analyst believes he knows who the Crimson Tide will turn to.
Analyst Projects Alabama QB Keelon Russell Is Ty Simpson’s Replacement
With Ty Simpson headed to the NFL draft, his departure leaves a vacancy at the top of the depth chart in Tuscaloosa. Simpson leaves school after a season in which he threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns. The team finished 11-4, and Alabama ranked No. 30 in PFSN’s CFB Offense Impact Rankings.
The Tide, behind Simpson, erased a 17-point deficit in the first round of the College Football Playoff, defeating Oklahoma, 34-24. Analyst RJ Young discussed who should start on his podcast “Adapt & Respond RJ Young: College Football.”
“They’re going to look between him and Austin Mack, which one of these guys can process it pre-snap and post-snap and get them in and out of the best possible scenarios,” Young said.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mack has 70 total college snaps to his credit, including 65 last year. In contrast, Russell, now a rising sophomore, logged 37 snaps as a true freshman. Mack, originally recruited to Washington by DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, spent one more year in their system via practice.
One of DeBoer’s principles is reading the defense before the ball leaves the center’s hands. Meanwhile, Young discussed the defense’s alignment at the snap. For example, Georgia and other SEC teams use a delayed blitz based on what the defense sees.
24/7 Sports’ director of national scouting Andrew Ivins profiles Russell as an athletic passer who prefers to slide the pocket to clear throwing lanes and win with his arm. Mack uses his frame (6’6″, 230 pounds) to connect on throws at all three levels.
Young added: “If Keelon Russell is even in that with Austin Mack, you got to go with him because Austin Mack has more opportunities to be in the system, and Keelon Russell could only get better.”
Young added that Russell, despite limited exposure and snaps, shows a similar feel to Mack; coaches could see that as a sign of his progress and expanding ceiling. Essentially, the host believes the coaching staff will give Russell a longer look than Mack.
“At the end of all this, we’re going to be talking about Keelon Russell being the starting quarterback at Alabama. I would not be shocked to find out he beats Austin Mack by the time we get to preseason.
If Young is correct, Russell will have the quarterback controversy resolved before Alabama’s spring game on April 12. However, Simpson was named the starter in August before the first game. From there, he will look to continue solidifying his grasp on the top spot.
When the Crimson Tide opens the season Sept. 5 against East Carolina, Alabama will play three of its first four games at home. That stretch includes a rematch against Florida State. In last season’s opener, the Seminoles upset the Tide 31-17. Which quarterback emerges victorious in the battle could become one of the SEC’s biggest stories.
