Alabama Crimson Tide head coach has little time to prove he’s capable of succeeding Nick Saban as the program’s leader, and that urgency seems to have led him to pursue a former rival quarterback.
With uncertainty surrounding Alabama’s 2025 quarterback situation, DeBoer and the Crimson Tide reached out to former Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck after he entered the transfer portal. According to Matt Hayes of USA Today, Alabama made the call after Georgia initially indicated they wanted Beck to return.
Beck would have made sense in DeBoer’s vertical passing game, offering more of a fit than Jalen Milroe did. If Beck fully recovers from his elbow injury, he’s a reliable game manager who could elevate the unit’s performance. However, when Beck’s supporting cast isn’t ideal, things can become challenging, suggesting that he may not be the perfect fit for Alabama’s current needs. Consequently, Alabama is turning its attention to Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell.
Simpson is considered the likely starter for the 2025 season. Having expressed his readiness to take on a starting role, many were surprised when he chose not to transfer last year. Now set to be a fourth-year junior in 2025, Simpson has already participated in six games this season, passing for 167 yards with a 14-of-25 completion rate. He also rushed for 44 yards and scored one touchdown. Although a former 5-star recruit, Simpson has not yet started a game, and his limited playing time has been underwhelming. His running ability is notable, though it doesn’t compare to that of Milroe.
The real wildcard, however, is Keelon Russell. The 5-star dual-threat athlete from high school finished his senior year on an incredible note, ranking as the No. 2 quarterback in a stacked class of prospects. Russell possesses elite physical talent and seems mentally prepared to compete at a high level, which gives him a promising future.
However, the question remains: can the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Russell catch up to Simpson’s experience in DeBoer’s offense in time to make an immediate impact? It might not be wise to thrust a true freshman into the starting role, especially when the Tide’s depth at playmaking positions and their running game are uncertain. For both Russell’s development and DeBoer’s reputation with the fanbase, it could be better to let the competition unfold more gradually.
