It's not always easy when you try to interpret what Kalen DeBoer says in press conferences. He's not a closed book, but he's the king of coach speak and rarely reveals his hand. That was no different on Thursday after Alabama's first scrimmage of fall camp, but that doesn't mean we can't read between the lines a bit.
Predictably, DeBoer was asked about the QB competition and if either signal-caller had begun to separate. He praised both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, while saying both had moments they could have performed better. At the end of the scrimmage, he felt the same as he had before it:
“I don’t feel closer with the quarterback answer,” DeBoer said.
But that's still noteworthy, isn't it?
Because this time a year ago, it was clear as day after the first scrimmage of fall camp that Ty Simpson was going to be the starter. It was announced a few days later. The fact that DeBoer isn't there yet points to one reality:
It's Keelon Russell time.
Keelon Russell may be starting to separate in Alabama's QB competition
Why do I feel this way, you may ask? Because if the veteran Mack was going to win the job, it just feels like that would be close to sorting itself out by now. The fact that he hasn't seized control of the job tells me that Russell is right there and preparing to overtake the rising senior.
Intel from the scrimmage points to both quarterbacks doing some nice things, but that the offense just looks and feels more dynamic with Russell piloting the ship. That's the same as it felt during the spring, and especially during the A-Day scrimmage.
Nothing has changed. Russell's dual-threat ability is a significant advantage for this offense. His escapability from the pocket and his creativity to make things happen when the play breaks down continue to stand out. With a brand new offensive line and a banged-up RB room, that matters. A lot.
It's always felt like the floor of this team might be higher with Mack running the show. He's the human playbook, as Ryan Coleman-Williams has called him. But Russell is "dynamite in a bottle", and Alabama's ceiling is undoubtedly higher with the sophomore taking over. There may be growing pains, but those will be offset by awe-inducing moments where he makes plays that your eyeballs cannot accept as a real possibility.
He's that level of a playmaker. He reportedly made several dazzling plays during Thursday's scrimmage, and some believe he is starting to separate in the competition. I'm skeptical of leaked intel from a closed/REC only scrimmage, but DeBoer's comments make me believe that Russell is in the driver's seat.
Alabama has its second and final scrimmage of camp next Thursday in Bryant-Denny. That will give Russell the opportunity to pull away and officially claim the job.
Mack is clearly not out of it, but the longer the competition goes on, the more likely it feels Russell is leaving the coaching staff no choice.
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