Jalen Milroe declared for the NFL Draft shortly after Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, giving the Crimson Tide a new Week 1 quarterback for the 2025 college football season. Alabama has only three scholarship passers on its roster for next season, but all are previous top-100 recruits, setting up a fight to watch this offseason. Here’s how we rate the Crimson Tide’s quarterback choices for the offseason.
1. Ty Simpson
Simpson is the most seasoned quarterback on Alabama’s roster. A former five-star recruit, he was ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect and the No. 4 quarterback in the 2022 class. Over his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Simpson completed 29 of 50 passes (58.0%) for 381 yards. Although he has yet to throw a touchdown or interception at Alabama, he has recorded 18 carries for 130 yards and three touchdowns.
Simpson remained on the bench while Milroe committed multiple turnovers in losses to Oklahoma and Michigan during the bowl game. Now, he is eager to compete for the starting position this offseason.“I didn’t play freely,” Simpson admitted in November, reflecting on his performance prior to DeBoer’s arrival at Alabama. “I tried to do everything exactly as instructed. They emphasized, ‘Just play. Who cares what happens? Imagine you’re back in high school.’ … Hopefully, next year, it’ll be my turn to lead the team.”
2. Keelon Russell
Simpson is projected to start for Alabama in Week 1 of the 2025 season, but his hold on the position could be tenuous with a talent like Keelon Russell waiting in the wings. Ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, Russell is Alabama’s highest-rated quarterback recruit since Bryce Young in 2020. He showcased his skills by leading Duncanville to two Texas high school state championships during an outstanding prep career.
According to Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting, Russell has been compared to 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. He could challenge Simpson for the starting role in 2025 or use his freshman season to develop.
“Russell is an elite playmaker at quarterback with plenty of valuable game experience and an excellent sense of balancing risk and reward,” Ivins wrote in his evaluation. “He’s proven to be among the most accurate passers in the 2025 class, combining natural arm talent, athleticism, and fierce competitiveness. He’s one of the most exciting quarterback prospects in recent recruiting cycles.”
3. Austin Mack
Despite being the lowest-rated prospect in Alabama’s quarterback group, Austin Mack is a highly capable player. The former four-star recruit was ranked as the No. 73 overall prospect and No. 8 quarterback in the 2023 class, placing him ahead of Eli Holstein and Avery Johnson. Mack also has the most experience in DeBoer’s offense after spending his freshman year at Washington.
He impressed in limited action against Mercer, completing 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. “Tremendous,” said offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan about Mack’s progress during fall camp in August. “He’s an incredible worker and a deeply committed player. He continues to improve, and his best football is still ahead of him, which is incredibly exciting.”
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