Kalen DeBoer assesses where Alabama’s QB battle stands after opening week

Alabama wrapped its first week of fall camp practices over the weekend as it continues to inch towards kickoff against Florida State.

Yet as of today, there’s still no official word on who will be behind center when kickoff arrives despite several indications that Ty Simpson is in the lead.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer is far from ready to reveal where he’s leaning, but he did provide an assessment of the quarterback room following the Crimson Tide’s last practice of the week on Sunday.

“I think the biggest thing, practice one was good, two the installs become more and different things,” DeBoer said. “A lot of it’s still base stuff these guys have worked on in spring, summer. But there was a couple just missed opportunities really between receivers and skill guys and the quarterbacks. I feel like the last two practices, those near misses have now been completions. That’s what you like to see.”

Chasing Simpson atop of the depth chart are Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

Simpson returns as a redshirt junior and the most experienced of the trio despite throwing a total of 50 passes in 16 games without a passing touchdown. Mack transferred over from Washington following DeBoer’s move to Alabama a year ago with the towering 6-foot-6 quarterback completing two of three passes against Mercer including a 39 yard touchdown strike in his only action.

Russell enters as a true freshman and the most high profile recruit in the room but is still considered to be in contention for the starting role.

If the game were to be played next weekend, the coaching staff has been clear that Simpson would be the starter but luckily for Russell and Mack there is still time to make up ground.