There continue to be conflicting reports about the QB battle for Alabama football during spring practice. Reports by many, including former Crimson Tide QB and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy indicate that redshirt junior Ty Simpson has a firm grasp on the starting job at the moment.
ESPN senior writer Chris Low, perhaps best known for breaking the news last January of Nick Saban's retirement, has spent plenty of time on campus in Tuscaloosa. He had an interesting post on Wednesday morning on X, offering his opinion of the QB race from what he has observed:
My take on @AlabamaFTBL QB situation after being on campus: Ty Simpson best positioned to be starter, but has to go win it. Hasn’t done it yet. Austin Mack is battling and has some real support among players. Keelon Russell most talented of the three, but a freshman. Legit race.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 9, 2025
This observation comes at an interesting time. Insiders reported after last week's scrimmage that Austin Mack struggled mightily and was perhaps even falling to No. 3 in the race behind Simpson and talented true freshman Keelon Russell.
Of course, Simpson being best positioned to start, according to Low, matches with what we've heard from those who have attended practice and McElroy. Simpson has been first up in the media viewing portions of drills among the QBs. This is also further indication that there is a long way to go in this QB race.
Alabama football needs Austin Mack
Low's observation comes at a time when Austin Mack needed some good press. Reports had indicated that he was falling behind in the QB race. I would call the timing of this being sent out convenient at best.
I don't doubt that Mack has struggled in scrimmages. There are too many people saying the same thing not to believe it. I also believe that Simpson is ahead in the race and is most likely to be the starter unless Russell blows up over the summer and just wrestles the job away in fall camp.
But Alabama needs Mack to stay the course and at least believe there's still an opportunity to win the starting job. The spring Transfer Portal window will open soon, and if Mack believes the race is over or that he's pretty much out of it, then he could explore his options and leave Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide in a bad spot heading into the summer.
Alabama only has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and entering the season with just two of them if Mack decided to leave could be an abject disaster in Tuscaloosa.
This QB race will be drug out as far as DeBoer can drag it. There might never be an official announcement of a starter until the team trots out for the first offensive series in Tallahassee against Florida State on August 30th.