Alabama's first scrimmage of fall camp is in the books, and in Kalen DeBoer's post-scrimmage press conference, he dropped hints at the forthcoming conclusion of the battle, and also suggested that the competition is actually a two-horse race with a third lagging behind.
Of course, the best news for Alabama fans after the scrimmage is that DeBoer stated that there were no interceptions thrown, crediting the trio for having command of the offense and not putting the ball in harm's way.
According to DeBoer, the competition should be coming to a close over the next week.
“I would have said before camp we’ve definitely got to make a decision by the time we get done with the second scrimmage,” DeBoer said. “I would anticipate for sure that being the case. We’ll see how the next few days go."
Naming a starter after the second fall scrimmage always made the most sense. That will put Alabama two weeks ahead of the season opener in Tallahassee against Florida State, allowing more targeted first-team reps to be given to the No. 1 guy on the depth chart.
Ty Simpson is still trending in the QB battle and figures to ultimately win the job. But while the competition isn't yet over, DeBoer's comments hint at the battle being narrowed to two.
The QB competition appears to be down to Ty Simpson and Austin Mack
Backing up what former Crimson Tide QB AJ McCarron said on "The Dynasty" podcast this week, as talented as Keelon Russell is, he's not a serious contender for the starting quarterback job at this point.
“I think command of the huddle, the two guys who’ve been around the offense the longest, Ty and Austin, when they get in the huddle and they’ve got to rattle off a play, they’re sharp and confident with it,” DeBoer said. “Keelon is still learning those things. But he’s doing a great job. The progress is something you’d hope for, and he is right there.”
DeBoer seemed to separate the quarterbacks into two camps, insinuating that the competition is really between Simpson and Mack while Russell is still learning the ins and outs of the offense and all that comes with playing QB at this level.
Russell has the highest ceiling in the room, but it was always unrealistic to assume he would be ready to play this year. He's the future of the program, but for right now, it's clear that Simpson or Mack are ahead and give Alabama the best chance to win, at least right now.
That could change as the season progresses. Russell will continue getting better throughout the season and could mount a mid-season challenge.
In any case, it looks like the QB competition is coming to a close. By the end of next weekend's scrimmage, DeBoer plans to have an answer to that question. While the answer continues to point toward Simpson, Mack has a week to mount his challenge.