Kalen DeBoer analyzes QB competition after Alabama’s first spring scrimmage

Alabama held its first scrimmage of spring football on Friday which provided another look for head coach Kalen DeBoer to have at his quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

Although there is still no lean toward who has the edge in the battle, DeBoer did praise both performances following the scrimmage.

“I love the aggressiveness that they have,” DeBoer said. “They’re not gun shy. They go and make plays attacking whenever they can get the right opportunities with the throws, and they’re making the throws. And the guys are going through, making the plays for them, and the catches.”

Both are working to replace former starter Ty Simpson who declared for the NFL Draft following an impressive campaign during the 2025 season where he helped the Crimson Tide make the College Football Playoff.

Mack was Simpson’s primary backup last year, even stepping in to replace him during Alabama’s playoff game against Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The redshirt junior has the upper hand when it comes to experience in the system for he transferred to Alabama from Washington to follow DeBoer.

Simultaneously, Russell was an elite five-star prospect who joined the Crimson Tide last year and competed for the starting job with Simpson and Mack.

What will be important for either Russell or Mack is the development of the Alabama offensive line that is replacing four players up front. The group is still some way away from a finished product, but DeBoer liked what he saw between the two on Friday.

“I think they’re gaining more confidence in the offensive line each and every day,” DeBoer said. “That’s going to take time. We know there’s a lot of faces up front, but they’re clear with their communication. There’s not a lot that’s catching them off guard, so they can go out and let their skills speak for themselves and make the plays.”

Alabama will continue with spring practice on Monday.