Spring practice is underway in Tuscaloosa with A-Day set for April 12th to conclude practices. It's an important spring for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Coming off a disappointing 9-4 season in 2024, Alabama will hope to set the tone this spring that will carry over into an improved season in 2025 that culminates in a College Football Playoff berth.
To do so, Alabama will have to identify its starting quarterback. The battle will wage between redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack, and true freshman Keelon Russell. New OC Ryan Grubb will look for the guy who can effectively run his offense, and having a dedicated QB coach in Nick Sheridan will only help everyone's development.
Don't expect a starting quarterback to be named during the spring, as with Alabama's limited depth at the position, they cannot afford to lose a QB in the Transfer Portal who is frustrated by losing out on the starting job.
There's plenty of other competition that will be going on this spring with playing time up for grabs across the roster. Let's examine five players who are on the clock this spring; it's now or never for these players to either earn a starting job or in the very least crack the rotation at their position.
5 Alabama football players who are on the clock this spring
5. OT Wilkin Formby
Redshirt sophomore Wilkin Formby is entering his third year in the program and with the transfer of Elijah Pritchett to Nebraska, Formby is the obvious front runner to start at right tackle. Formby initially won the starting job at right tackle in fall camp last year and started the first two games of the season before losing his job to Pritchett due to his struggles against South Florida.
Pritchett started the rest of the way, but later in the season Formby was getting more and more first team reps at right tackle. He's the top contender for the job, but true freshman Jackson Lloyd is expected to push for the job immediately.
Alabama also added some depth in the Transfer Portal with Ball State's Arkel Anugwom, who gained some experience last year but will have to adjust to the higher competition level of the SEC and likely needs a year or two before he's ready to play.
Alabama also added former Mississippi State OL Jayden Hobson to the roster recently as added depth.
Formby is the likely starter, and Alabama needs much improved play from him to solidify the right side of the offensive line.
4. TE Danny Lewis Jr.
Redshirt junior Danny Lewis Jr. initially entered the Transfer Portal following the 2024 season but ultimately opted to return to Tuscaloosa. His decision was good news for Alabama as the Crimson Tide's depth at the position is limited following the graduations of CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts.
Alabama returns Washington transfer Josh Cuevas who earned more and more playing time as the season progresssed, but the Crimson Tide likes to run two-TE sets and the veteran Lewis should be able to carve out a role on this team.
Behind the two veteran tight ends are talented, yet inexperienced players. Jay Lindsay is entering his second year in the program and then there's two true freshmen in Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett.
Lewis should be able to carve out a role on this team. If he doesn't, it's because one of the young players surpassed him through spring and fall camps and he'll likely end up back in the portal if that's the case.
3. Bandit Keon Keeley
Keon Keeley is a former 5-star recruit and one of the highest ranked players in the 2023 class, period. He hasn't yet developed into the player he was billed to be and a lot of eyes will be on him this spring as he tries to finally claw his way onto the field.
In Keeley's defense, he had to learn a new position and change his body to do so with the new coaching staff. Going into a second season with consistent coaching will be big for the former blue-chip recruit. But he knows going into his third season of college football it's time for him to make a move.
It won't be easy to find playing time at his position, however, as the Bandit spot is one of the deepest on the team. Alabama returns LT Overton, who was one of the best players in the country last season at getting into the backfield. The Crimson Tide also added Florida transfer Kelby Collins, who has two years of playing experience under his belt.
Keeley will also need to beat out classmate Jordan Renaud, who might also be ahead of him on the depth chart. Alabama's depth is a big positive at the position, but it will make it challenging for Keeley to be a difference maker this season.
2. RB Richard Young
Another former 5-star recruit entering his third season of college football, Richard Young will be looking for meaningful carries this year in Tuscaloosa. With Justice Haynes' transfer to Michigan, the No. 2 RB spot behind Jam Miller is wide open on the depth chart.
Young figures to be the leader in the clubhouse for that spot. He flashed potential last season, particularly with a 62-yard run against Missouri. With more of a focus on the traditional running game with Jalen Milroe gone, there should be more carries to go around in the running back room.
Young's top competition figures to be Louisiana transfer Dre'lyn Washington, who will be looking to carve out playing time in his final season of college football. Incoming 4-star freshman AK Dear and second-year players Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley will be pushing for carries as well.
1. QB Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson is the obvious number one. All eyes will be on him and the QB competition this spring. Simpson is entering his fourth year at Alabama and if he can't beat out two younger players in Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, it will likely signal the end of his time in Tuscaloosa.
Simpson is the presumed favorite to win the job, but with a new OC in Ryan Grubb in town, the competition feels wide open. Simpson has the most experience, but both Mack and Russell might possess more talent. In Russell's case, he might already be the most talented player on the roster. His path to playing time will depend on how quickly he can pick up the playbook and the speed of the college game.
The QB battle brings the most intrigue this spring and it will be fascinating to see it unfold and see if Simpson can hold off the talented young guns waiting in the wings.