Reports from A-Day make it clear Ty Simpson is well ahead in Alabama's QB competition

Alabama football finished up its spring practice on Saturday with its annual A-Day game. Well, this year it was the A-Day practice as spring games seem like a relic of a past time in college football now.

For obvious reasons, everyone's eyes were on the QB competition, which has been the talk of spring practice as Kalen DeBoer and company look to replace Jalen Milroe behind center.

All three QBs competing - Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell - seemed to have their moments during the open practice. But it was obvious to those in attendance, and just by the order that the QBs went through drills, the leader in the clubhouse to be the Crimson Tide's 2025 starter at QB is Simpson.

That should come as no surprise to those who have paid attention to reports out of Tuscaloosa this spring. Greg McElroy was adamant that he heard Simpson was in firm control of the competition.

Simpson led the QBs through drills and was the first QB up to open the scrimmage portion of the day. The competition isn't over by any means, and a lot can change over the summer, but Simpson is the leader in the clubhouse and it is his job to lose at this point in time.

He was the steadiest QB of the day and was the only of the three who didn't turn the ball over. Russell opened the practice with an interception. Mack threw two.

Mack had some nice moments, but he was the most inconsistent of the three. He appears to have the biggest variance of the three competing. He is surpemely talented and you can see the vision. But he makes some head scratching decisions at times that will make it difficult for him to win this job if he doesn't cut those out.

Russell had some truly wow moment throws. He also had some freshman mistakes, like the interception to open the practice on an ill-advised throw that fellow freshman Ivan Taylor intercepted.

The wow moments included this dime to Rico Scott in 1-on-1's:

Ty Simpson is leading, but a lot can change over the summer in the race to be Alabama's QB

This race isn't over. No starter will be named by DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb. Alabama needs to maintain the competition if for no other reason than to maintain depth. Going into the fall with only two scholarship QBs if one transferred would be dangerous. Finding a QB in the Transfer Portal comfortable being 3rd on the depth chart is unlikely.

Odds are good that Simpson will be the starter for Alabama's season opener in Tallahassee at the end of August. But the competition isn't over yet and a lot can change over the summer. None of the three will give up and quit working. They all should improve over the summer. Don't be surprised if Russell makes a big leap over the summer during voluntary workouts. He's a young kid who oozes talent and potential. Once it clicks for him, he'll be tough to keep on the sideline.

But Simpson has done what was expected of him. He should be out in front of everyone else and he appears to be.