Kalen DeBoer Sends Strong Message to Alabama QBs Amid Intense Battle

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Alabama will have a new starting quarterback for the 2026 college football season after Ty Simpson was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Simpson was Alabama’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season, finishing with 3,567 yards through the air, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He helped Alabama make the College Football Playoff before the program was knocked out by Indiana in the quarterfinals.

Now that Simpson is gone, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are battling it out for the QB1 job this offseason. They each had strong springs, but Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer expects stronger summers from them.

“As good as they did and a nice job that they had performing this spring, I’d expect them to take another big leap here in the summer,” DeBoer said, via On3’s Charlie Potter.

Mack has been with the program for the last two seasons, but hasn’t played much. He has compiled 267 yards through the air, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in five career games.

Russell was with the program during the 2025 season and appeared in only two games, finishing with 143 yards through the air, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Both quarterbacks don’t have a lot of starting experience, but DeBoer will have to pick one to be his starter when Alabama’s 2026 season starts in September.

Alabama will open its 2026 season on Sept. 5 against East Carolina before playing its first SEC game on Sept. 12 against Kentucky.

Related: Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Agrees to Massive 7-Year Extension

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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