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The Tuscaloosa News
What Ryan Grubb said about Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, Alabama football quarterbacks
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- What Ryan Grubb said about Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, Alabama football quarterbacks
First impressions are seemingly everything for Ryan Grubb . After two practices, Alabama football's new offensive coordinator already has ample impressions to work with.
"A lot of things," Grubb said. "I think that they each, just like any quarterback, have their own individual strengths and weaknesses."
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Grubb has consistently been Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer's quarterbacks guy, working with DeBoer as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Fresno State and Washington. Grubb is, once again, on DeBoer's staff, but solely as offensive coordinator with Nick Sheridan running the quarterbacks room.
But Grubb said any offense starts with the quarterback room, as seemingly do Alabama's expectations in 2025.
Here are Grubb's initial takeaways about Ty Simpson , Austin Mack and Keelon Russell after two Alabama spring practices.
Alabama football QB Ty Simpson took 'the biggest jump'
Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Ty Simpson works a drill during Spring Practice for the Crimson Tide.
Over the course of two practices, one quarterback "had the biggest jump from day one to day two," Grubb said. It was Simpson and his ability to "take in all the information, process quickly and move."
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"I think he is really improving," Grubb said. "The thing I like and appreciate about Ty already is that I can tell he's very serious about wanting to succeed. He's had the mindset that he's been ready in that he's waiting in the wings, so to speak. So I think, for me, it's just I know that he's committed to the process and I think that that's what makes great quarterbacks. As long as you understand that it's going to take a little bit, he's got to be committed to those steps, he's going to do great."
Simpson has the most experience in Alabama's 2025 quarterback room, coming in with 50 career pass attempts and three seasons of experience backing up Jalen Milroe and Bryce Young .
Alabama QB Austin Mack has 'big upside'
Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Austin Mack (10) runs a drill during Spring Practice for the Crimson Tide.
Grubb played a big role in recruiting Mack to Washington, bringing him in as a 17-year-old freshman to learn under Michael Penix Jr.
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Now, with the pair on the same team again, Grubb has already seen Mack's increased maturity in a quarterback who does a "good job of showing command as a young player."
"I've always believed in Austin," Grubb said. "I think he's got a big upside. I think he really had done a great job working on his technique, throwing motion, things like that. I can tell he's been working over the last year. He's a very bright kid. I know he can process the offense."
Mack is the only returning Alabama quarterback with a passing touchdown, throwing a 31-yard score to Rico Scott in the Crimson Tide 's 52-7 win against Mercer in 2024.
Keelon Russell is 'awesome' and 'unflappable'
In Grubb's brief time with Russell, he's already impressed with the 2025 five-star quarterback's response to adversity.
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"Even when things don't go right, and it (inevitably) will for a freshman quarterback, I think he's done an awesome job just kind of staying the course and be very steady," Grubb said. "He can make a lot of plays."
Russell is the highest-rated quarterback Alabama has signed since Young. To Grubb, Russell is similar to Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener , who he called "whippy" and "decisive" with a "quick release," and Penix with his "wide vision."
"He's still working through all the process, but he'll get there," Grubb said of Russell. "He's a good player."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Ryan Grubb said about Alabama football quarterbacks this spring
