The Alabama Crimson Tide received some main information after their disappointing bowl loss to the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday, as quarterback Jalen Milroe introduced his intentions to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
Milroe, a redshirt junior, had been Alabama’s beginning quarterback over the previous two seasons, main the Crimson Tide to a Faculty Soccer Playoff berth in 2023 earlier than narrowly lacking out in 2024.
Whereas it was extra of a down yr statistically for Milroe, who threw 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, the quarterback supplied a stage of stability on the place for the Crimson Tide.
Now, they’ve a significant query to reply at an important place in soccer: who can be their beginning quarterback in 2025? Let’s break down the choices.
Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson elected to return to this system this previous season to again up Milroe as soon as once more, and the redshirt sophomore may very well be seen as the favourite to win the beginning job, as he’s probably the most skilled participant within the room.
Whereas he hasn’t essentially proven a lot on the sector over his few seasons at Alabama, making an attempt solely 50 passes over the previous three years, Simpson is a former five-star recruit who now leads a room that has three scholarship quarterbacks.
Austin Mack
A four-star recruit within the Class of 2024, Mack got here with head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama, and will earn a shot on the beginning gig as effectively.
Being solely a freshman, Mack is behind Simpson in expertise, whereas the Crimson Tide are bringing in a five-star quarterback within the 2025 class. So, it looks as if an uphill battle for the time being for the 2024 four-star, however the competitors ought to be an open one heading into subsequent season.
Keelon Russell
That leaves us with the youngest and most tantalizing participant of the trio: 2025 five-star quarterback Keelon Russell, who was ranked because the No. 2 signal-caller within the class.
Russell, a multi-year starter at Texas powerhouse Duncanville, is seen as the way forward for the Crimson Tide, and has a giant alternative to return in and compete for the beginning job, which he believes is the expectation, at the same time as a real freshman.
“With Jalen Milroe leaving, it opens up numerous alternatives for me,” Russell shared on the Below Armour All-American Sport this week. “Clearly, I gained’t must be behind any individual for actual and watch him take over a bit of bit as an alternative of simply getting in there and making an attempt to win the beginning place. Both manner, I’m gonna nonetheless have that mindset.
“However actually, you have got a beginning quarterback that begins the entire yr [in Milroe]. You’re gonna get him the taking part in time he wants and as a senior, you’re gonna give him that final likelihood to showcase his years as a result of he’s gonna go to the draft. So I imply, [with him leaving instead of coming back for his senior season], it opens up numerous alternatives for me. . .On the finish of the day, I’m simply able to ball, to be trustworthy.”
Now, being probably the most intriguing candidate to win the job and really successful the job are two various things, and Russell is a competitor who understands the method.
“If I don’t win [the starting job], I’m not [going to be] no child about it. I gained’t cry. I gained’t suppose that it’s the world over for me. I’m aggressive. You’ve seen Jalen Milroe get his job taken. To not level that out, however you’ve seen Jalen Milroe get his job taken years in the past. So it’s at all times gonna be one thing that’s gonna occur. . .I simply really feel like I’m getting in there to compete, and greatest comes out of it.”
However, the five-star quarterback goes in with the mindset that he expects to win that beginning quarterback place, which might be a significant change for Alabama.
“I really feel like I’m a quarterback that doesn’t actually resolve round strain. I’m extra of a assured quarterback. I need to go compete, and that’s what it’s. If I’m going compete, I’m [going to] win the beginning place.”
The Crimson Tide have a significant resolution forward of them in 2025, because it doesn’t appear to be they’ll go to the switch portal.
They’ve invested lots into their five-star quarterback, who presently stands round 6’4, 185 kilos, which implies the offense would probably change to help Russell.
However, the incoming freshman has a ton of expertise, which can probably be on show as he competes for the beginning job beginning within the spring.
